<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4
                                                                  CONFORMED COPY





                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

                                      AMONG

                      ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,

                          ADVANCED ACQUISITIONS, INC.,

                            DEPOSITION SCIENCES, INC.

                                       AND

           LEE BARTOLOMEI, FRANCES AND JOHN AGUILERA, JR. 1992 TRUST,
                MICHAEL ROBBINS, JAMES BROSNAN AND NORMAN BOLING


                                 January 9, 1998

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
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<S>                                                                                                               <C>
ARTICLE 1  THE TRANSACTIONS.......................................................................................1

         Section 1.1       Agreement to Consummate Transactions...................................................1
         Section 1.2       Formation of Acquisition; Merger Agreement.............................................1
         Section 1.3       Shareholder Approval...................................................................1
         Section 1.4       Closing................................................................................1
         Section 1.5       Consummation of Transactions...........................................................2
         Section 1.6       Issuance of ADLT Stock; Payment of Cash Consideration..................................2
         Section 1.7       Conversion of DSI Stock................................................................2
         Section 1.8       Effect of Transactions.................................................................2
         Section 1.9       Tax Consequences.......................................................................3
         Section 1.10      Deliveries and Proceedings at Closing..................................................3

ARTICLE 2  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                           OF THE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND DSI..................................................5

         Section 2.1       Title to DSI Shares....................................................................6
         Section 2.2       Organization and Qualification.........................................................6
         Section 2.3       Shares; Capitalization.................................................................6
         Section 2.4       Subsidiaries...........................................................................6
         Section 2.5       Authorization and Enforceability.......................................................6
         Section 2.6       No Violation of Laws or Agreements.....................................................7
         Section 2.7       Financial Statements; Minimum Cash Balance.............................................8
         Section 2.8       Undisclosed Liabilities................................................................8
         Section 2.9       No Changes.............................................................................8
         Section 2.10      Tax Matters............................................................................9
         Section 2.11      Receivables; Inventory................................................................10
         Section 2.12      Business; Assets......................................................................10
         Section 2.13      Litigation............................................................................11
         Section 2.14      Contracts; Compliance.................................................................11
         Section 2.15      Permits...............................................................................12
         Section 2.16      Compliance With Laws..................................................................12
         Section 2.17      Real Property.........................................................................12
         Section 2.18      Transactions With Related Parties.....................................................12
         Section 2.19      Insurance.............................................................................13
         Section 2.20      Employee Relations....................................................................14
         Section 2.21      Patents and Intellectual Property Rights..............................................14
         Section 2.22      Benefit Plans.........................................................................15
         Section 2.23      Finder's Fees.........................................................................16
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TABLE OF CONTENTS - CONTINUED
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         Section 2.24      Confidentiality Agreements............................................................17
         Section 2.25      Compliance with Environmental Laws....................................................17
         Section 2.26      Disclosure............................................................................18

ARTICLE 3  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SHAREHOLDERS........................................................18

         Section 3.1       Title to DSI Shares...................................................................18
         Section 3.2       Purchase Entirely for Own Account.....................................................18
         Section 3.3       Restricted Securities.................................................................19
         Section 3.4       Disclosure of Information.............................................................19
         Section 3.5       Investment Experience.................................................................19
         Section 3.6       Accredited Investor...................................................................19

ARTICLE 4  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ADLT................................................................19

         Section 4.1       Title to ADLT Shares..................................................................19
         Section 4.2       Organization..........................................................................19
         Section 4.3       Shares; Capitalization................................................................20
         Section 4.4       Subsidiaries..........................................................................20
         Section 4.5       Authorization and Enforceability......................................................20
         Section 4.6       No Violation of Laws or Agreements....................................................21
         Section 4.7       SEC Reports...........................................................................21
         Section 4.8       Finder's Fees.........................................................................22
         Section 4.9       No Material Adverse Change............................................................22
         Section 4.10      Disclosure............................................................................22
         Section 4.11      Litigation............................................................................22
         Section 4.12      Registration Rights...................................................................22

ARTICLE 5  COVENANTS OF  THE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS..............................................................22

         Section 5.1       Conduct of Business Pending Closing...................................................22
         Section 5.2       Access, Information and Documents.....................................................24
         Section 5.3       Preserve Accuracy of Representations and Warranties...................................25
         Section 5.4       Filings and Authorizations............................................................25
         Section 5.5       Notice of Changes.....................................................................25
         Section 5.6       Resale of ADLT Shares.................................................................25
         Section 5.7       No Negotiations.......................................................................26
         Section 5.8       Schedules.............................................................................26
         Section 5.9       Exercise of DSI Options...............................................................26
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TABLE OF CONTENTS - CONTINUED
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ARTICLE 6  COVENANTS OF ADLT.....................................................................................26

         Section 6.1       Preserve Accuracy of Representations and Warranties...................................26
         Section 6.2       Filings and Authorizations............................................................26
         Section 6.3       Notice of Changes.....................................................................26
         Section 6.4       Stock Legends.........................................................................26
         Section 6.5       Stock Option Plan.....................................................................27
         Section 6.6       Employee Benefits.....................................................................27
         Section 6.7       Post-Closing Indemnification of Certain Persons.......................................27
         Section 6.8       DSI Security Clearances...............................................................28
         Section 6.9       Acquisition...........................................................................28

ARTICLE 7  CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.................................................................................29

         Section 7.1       Mutual Conditions Precedent...........................................................29
         Section 7.2       Conditions Precedent to Obligations of ADLT...........................................29
         Section 7.3       Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of DSI........................................30

ARTICLE 8  TERMINATION...........................................................................................31

         Section 8.1       Termination...........................................................................31

ARTICLE 9  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION..........................................................32

         Section 9.1       Survival of Representations...........................................................32
         Section 9.2       Indemnification by the Shareholders...................................................32
         Section 9.3       Indemnification by ADLT...............................................................33
         Section 9.4       Notice of Claims......................................................................33
         Section 9.5       Third Party Claims....................................................................33
         Section 9.6       Limitation on Damages; Insurance; Etc.................................................34
         Section 9.7       Good Faith Effort to Settle Disputes..................................................34
         Section 9.8       Sole Remedy...........................................................................34

ARTICLE 10  MISCELLANEOUS........................................................................................35

         Section 10.1      Construction..........................................................................35
         Section 10.2      Notices...............................................................................35
         Section 10.3      Successors and Assigns................................................................36
         Section 10.4      Governing Law.........................................................................36
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TABLE OF CONTENTS - CONTINUED
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         Section 10.5      No Assignment.........................................................................36
         Section 10.6      Approvals and Actions by the Shareholders.............................................37
         Section 10.7      Amendment and Waiver; Cumulative Effect...............................................37
         Section 10.8      Entire Agreement......................................................................37
         Section 10.9      Severability..........................................................................37
         Section 10.10     No Third Party Beneficiaries..........................................................37
         Section 10.11     Counterparts..........................................................................38
         Section 10.12     Expenses..............................................................................38
         Section 10.13     Arbitration...........................................................................38
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                                       iv

<PAGE>   6
                                    EXHIBITS


                  Exhibit A         Merger Agreement
                  Exhibit B         Form of Release
                  Exhibit C         Form of Employment Agreements
                  Exhibit D         Intentionally Omitted
                  Exhibit E         Intentionally Omitted
                  Exhibit F         Form of Registration Rights Agreement



                                       v

<PAGE>   7
                                    SCHEDULES


Schedule 1.10A             Shareholders
Schedule 1.10B             Restrictive Legend
Schedule 2.2               Foreign Qualifications
Schedule 2.3               Securities Rights
Schedule 2.6               DSI Required Consents
Schedule 2.7               Description of New Line
Schedule 2.8               Other Liabilities
Schedule 2.9               Material Transactions
Schedule 2.10              Tax Matters
Schedule 2.11              Receivables
Schedule 2.12              Business; Permitted Encumbrances
Schedule 2.13              Litigation
Schedule 2.14              Contracts
Schedule 2.17              Real Property
Schedule 2.18              Transactions with Related Parties
Schedule 2.19              Insurance; Warranty Claims
Schedule 2.20              Employee Relations
Schedule 2.21              Intellectual Property
Schedule 2.22              Benefit Plans
Schedule 2.23              Confidentiality Agreements
Schedule 2.25              Environmental Matters
Schedule 4.4               ADLT Equity Investments
Schedule 4.6               ADLT Required Consents


                                       vi
<PAGE>   8

                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION


                  THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (this "Agreement")
entered into as of the 9th day of January, 1998 by and among Advanced Lighting
Technologies, Inc., an Ohio corporation ("ADLT"), Advanced Acquisitions, Inc.,
an Ohio corporation ("Acquisition") and Deposition Sciences, Inc., a California
corporation ("DSI"), and Lee Bartolomei, Frances and John Aguilera, Jr. 1992
Trust (the "Trust"), Michael Robbins, James Brosnan, and Norman Boling (Messrs.
Bartolomei, Robbins, Brosnan and Boling and the Trust are sometimes referred to
herein individually as a "Principal Shareholder" and collectively as the
"Principal Shareholders");

                                   WITNESSETH:

                  WHEREAS, ADLT, Acquisition and DSI and the Principal
Shareholders desire to complete a merger transaction pursuant to which DSI shall
be merged with and into Acquisition, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ADLT, all
under and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein,

                  NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be
legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1
                                THE TRANSACTIONS

                  Section 1.1 AGREEMENT TO CONSUMMATE TRANSACTIONS. Subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement and of the merger agreement referred
to in Section 1.2, ADLT, Acquisition and DSI agree to consummate or cause to be
consummated the transactions contemplated by Sections 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 of this
Agreement (the "Transactions") and agree that the consummation of each of the
Transactions is conditional upon the consummation of each of the other
Transactions.

                  Section 1.2 FORMATION OF ACQUISITION; MERGER AGREEMENT. ADLT
has formed Acquisition as a wholly owned Ohio subsidiary in order to effect the
merger of DSI with and into Acquisition in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Acquisition and
DSI in substantially the form appended hereto as Exhibit A (the "Merger
Agreement").

                  Section 1.3 SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. ADLT, as the sole
shareholder of Acquisition, hereby approves this Agreement and the issuance of
shares of its Common Stock ("ADLT Common Stock") required to consummate the
Transactions. DSI will submit to its shareholders for approval this Agreement
and the Merger Agreement at a meeting to be held as soon as reasonably possible.

                  Section 1.4 CLOSING. A meeting of the parties to this 
Agreement (the "Closing") will take place at which certificates, opinions,
letters and other documents required by this

<PAGE>   9
Agreement will be delivered or exchanged. The Closing will take place at the
offices of Messrs. Cowden, Humphrey & Sarlson Co., L.P.A., 1414 Terminal Tower,
Cleveland, Ohio 44113, at 10:00 A.M. on January 23, 1998, PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that if any condition of Closing in Article 7 has not been satisfied or waived
or if any party shall deem a temporary postponement advisable because of any
threatened private or governmental proceedings, ADLT or DSI, respectively, may
postpone the Closing until a date promptly after the satisfaction of such
conditions or the resolution of such other events, but in no event shall such
postponement extend beyond March 31, 1998. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Closing may take place at such other place, time or date as may be agreed upon
by ADLT and DSI. The date of the Closing is referred to herein as the "Closing
Date."

                  Section 1.5 CONSUMMATION OF TRANSACTIONS. If, on the Closing
Date scheduled in Section 1.4, no condition exists which would permit any of the
parties to terminate this Agreement or a condition then exists and the party
entitled to terminate because of that condition elects not to do so, then the
Transactions shall be consummated on such date and promptly thereafter on that
date Acquisition and DSI will file appropriate certificates of merger, (a) in
the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio in accordance with the
General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio and (b) in the office of the
Secretary of State of California in accordance with the California General
Corporation Law; and upon such filing, the merger of DSI into Acquisition
contemplated by the Merger Agreement will become effective (said date being
hereinafter referred to as the "Effective Date"). If, on such scheduled Closing
Date, it is determined that all conditions have not been met or waived, the
parties will fix a mutually agreeable date for purposes of consummating the
Transaction, not later than the latest applicable Closing Date specified in
Section 1.4.

                  Section 1.6 ISSUANCE OF ADLT STOCK; PAYMENT OF CASH
CONSIDERATION. As of the Effective Date, ADLT will issue that number of shares
of ADLT Common Stock, subject to restrictions on transfer as provided in the
Merger Agreement ("Restricted ADLT Common Stock"), required to consummate the
merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement and will deliver (a) the
certificates for such shares and (b) $14,501,260.62, to the exchange agent
designated in the Merger Agreement (the "Exchange Agent"). ADLT will also
deliver an amount sufficient to pay the required amount with respect to
fractional shares in accordance with Section 4(c) of the Merger Agreement.

                  Section 1.7 CONVERSION OF DSI STOCK. As of the Effective Date,
each share of Common Stock of DSI then issued and outstanding shall, by virtue
of the merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be
converted into and be deemed to become (a) that number of shares of Restricted
ADLT Common Stock provided for in the Merger Agreement and (b) the right to
receive cash consideration provided for in the Merger Agreement.

                  Section 1.8 EFFECT OF TRANSACTIONS. As a result of the
Transactions, ADLT will continue to own all of the issued and outstanding shares
of Acquisition and the shareholders of DSI will own only Restricted ADLT Common
Stock and the right to receive cash compensation.


                                        2

<PAGE>   10



                  Section 1.9 TAX CONSEQUENCES. For federal tax purposes, it is
intended that the merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

                  Section 1.10      DELIVERIES AND PROCEEDINGS AT CLOSING.

                  (a) DELIVERIES BY SHAREHOLDERS. Shareholders of DSI
("Shareholders") shall deliver or cause to be delivered to ADLT at the Closing
and shall cause DSI to deliver the documents required to be delivered pursuant
to subsection 1.10(b) below:

                  i.       Certificates representing the shares of DSI Common
                           Stock owned by each Shareholder;

                  ii.      A Shareholder Questionnaire containing the
                           representations and warranties set forth in Article 3
                           hereof, executed by each Shareholder, and each
                           Shareholder's spouse, if applicable;

                  iii.     General releases, executed by each of the Principal
                           Shareholders, in substantially the form set forth in
                           Exhibit B;

                  iv.      Individual Employment Agreements, in substantially
                           the form set forth in Exhibit C, duly executed by Lee
                           Bartolomei, John Aguilera, Norman Boling, James
                           Brosnan, Erik Krisl, David McDuffie, and Michael
                           Robbins;

                  v.       Such other documents and agreements as ADLT may
                           reasonably request; and

                  vi.      Duly executed copies of such other documents and
                           agreements provided for herein.

                  (b)      DELIVERIES BY DSI. DSI shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to ADLT at the Closing:

                  i.       A good standing certificate of DSI issued by the
                           Secretary of State for the State of California within
                           20 days prior to Closing;

                  ii.      An incumbency and specimen signature certificate
                           signed by the officers of DSI and certified by the
                           Secretary of DSI;

                  iii.     A true and correct copy of the Articles of
                           Incorporation (and all amendments thereto) of DSI in
                           effect as of the Closing Date and a complete charter
                           history of DSI, each certified by the Secretary of
                           State for the State of California and the By-Laws of
                           DSI (together with all amendments thereto) certified
                           by the Secretary of DSI;

                                        3

<PAGE>   11

                  iv.      Resolutions of (1) the Board of Directors of DSI
                           authorizing the execution and delivery of this
                           Agreement and the Merger Agreement and the
                           performance by DSI of the transactions contemplated
                           hereby and thereby and (2) the Shareholders approving
                           this Agreement and the Merger Agreement in accordance
                           with California Law, each certified by the Secretary
                           of DSI;

                  v.       A certificate dated the Closing Date certifying to
                           the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in
                           Section 7.2 hereof;

                  vi.      An opinion of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, in form
                           reasonably satisfactory to ADLT;

                  vii.     The minute books, stock ledgers and corporate seal of
                           DSI;

                  viii.    Duly executed copies of such other documents and
                           agreements provided for herein; and

                  viii.    Such other agreements and documents as ADLT may
                           reasonably request.

                  (c)      DELIVERIES BY ADLT. ADLT shall deliver or cause to be
delivered at the Closing:

                  i.       To each Shareholder delivering shares in accordance
                           with paragraph (a) of this Section, a certificate
                           representing the ADLT Shares registered in the name
                           of such Shareholder in the name and at the address
                           and using the Social Security Number set forth on DSI
                           Shareholder records, or as set forth in the Letter of
                           Transmittal and such share certificates shall bear
                           restrictive legends in substantially the form set
                           forth on Schedule 1.10B;

                  ii.      To each Shareholder delivering shares in accordance
                           with paragraph (a) of this Section, an ADLT check
                           payable to the order of such Shareholder, in the
                           amount set forth on Schedule 1.10A;

                  iii.     Duly executed copies of such other documents and
                           agreements provided for herein;

                  iv.      A Good Standing certificate of each of ADLT and
                           Acquisition issued within 20 days prior to Closing
                           certified by the Secretary of State of the State of
                           Ohio;


                                        4

<PAGE>   12



                  v.       An incumbency and specimen signature certificate for
                           each of ADLT and Acquisition signed by the officers
                           of ADLT and Acquisition, respectively, and certified
                           by the Secretary of ADLT and Acquisition,
                           respectively;

                  vi.      A true and correct copy of the Articles of
                           Incorporation (and all amendments thereto) of each of
                           ADLT and Acquisition in effect as of the Closing Date
                           certified by the Secretary of State of the State of
                           Ohio and Code of Regulations of each of ADLT and
                           Acquisition (together with all amendments thereto)
                           certified by the Secretary of ADLT and Acquisition,
                           respectively;

                  vii.     Resolutions of the Board of Directors of ADLT and
                           Acquisition authorizing the execution and delivery of
                           this Agreement and the Merger Agreement and the
                           performance of the transactions contemplated hereby,
                           certified by the Secretary of ADLT and Acquisition,
                           respectively;

                  viii.    A certificate dated the Closing Date of an officer of
                           ADLT certifying to the fulfillment of the conditions
                           set forth in Section 7.3;

                  ix.      The opinion of Cowden, Humphrey & Sarlson Co., L.P.A.
                           in form reasonably satisfactory to DSI;

                  x.       A Registration Rights Agreement, in substantially the
                           form attached as Exhibit F, relating to piggy back
                           registration rights of Shareholders (and their
                           permitted transferees), duly executed by ADLT; and

                  xi.      Employment Agreements, in substantially the forms set
                           forth as Exhibit C, relating to the employment of Lee
                           Bartolomei, John Aguilera, Norman Boling, James
                           Brosnan, Erik Krisl, David McDuffie and Michael
                           Robbins, duly executed by Acquisition.

                                    ARTICLE 2
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                     OF THE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND DSI

                  The Principal Shareholders and DSI, jointly and severally,
represent and warrant to ADLT as set forth in this Article 2. Where any
representation or warranty is made "to the knowledge of the Principal
Shareholders," such representation or warranty is made to actual knowledge of
each Principal Shareholder and John Aguilera, without any duty of investigation
or inquiry. Where any matter, fact or circumstance is disclosed in a Schedule to
this Agreement, it shall be deemed disclosed in all Schedules to this Agreement.
As used herein, the term "Person" means any person, corporation, association,
partnership, limited liability company, trust, business trust, joint venture,
unincorporated organization or any other legal entity and the term "Other
Agreement" with respect to any party shall

                                        5

<PAGE>   13
mean the Merger Agreement and all other agreements and documents contemplated
hereby to be executed and delivered by such party or any Affiliate (as defined
in Section 2.8) thereof on or before the Closing.

                  Section 2.1 TITLE TO DSI SHARES. Each Shareholder is the
record holder of the number of shares set forth opposite such Shareholder's name
on Schedule 1.10A.

                  Section 2.2 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. DSI has been duly
incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of the State of California, has requisite corporate power and authority to
own or lease its property as now owned or leased and to conduct the Business (as
defined in Section 2.12) as it is now conducted. Except as set forth in Schedule
2.2, DSI is not qualified to transact business, or required to be qualified to
transact business, in any jurisdiction other than California.

                  Section 2.3 SHARES; CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital
stock of DSI consists solely of 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which
1,108,900 shares are issued and outstanding and an additional 4,500 shares are
expected to be issued and outstanding on the Closing Date (the "DSI Shares") and
2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which is issued or outstanding.
Except as set forth in Schedule 2.3, there are no Securities Rights with respect
to any DSI Shares nor are there any securities convertible into or exchangeable
for any DSI Common Stock or any other Security Rights with respect to any
unissued DSI Common Stock. "Securities Right" means any option, warrant, other
right, proxy, put, call, demand, plan, commitment, agreement, understanding or
arrangement of any kind relating to any DSI Shares. "Security Right" means any
right relating to issuance, sale, assignment, transfer, purchase, redemption,
conversion, exchange, registration or voting rights with respect to any capital
stock of the issuer, whether issued or unissued, or any other security
convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock of the issuer conferred by
statute, by the issuer's articles of incorporation or by-laws or by agreement,
including any subscription right, option preemptive purchase right or
registration right. All rights and powers to vote the DSI Shares held by the
Principal Shareholders are held exclusively by the respective Principal
Shareholders owning such DSI Shares. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.3, all of
the DSI Shares are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, were not issued
in violation of the terms of any agreement or other understanding, and were
issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities or
"blue-sky" laws and regulations.

                  Section 2.4 SUBSIDIARIES. DSI does not own any equity interest
in any Person.

                  Section 2.5 AUTHORIZATION AND ENFORCEABILITY. The execution,
delivery and performance by DSI of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement have
been duly authorized by all necessary action on its part and the part of the
Shareholders. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Principal Shareholders and constitutes, and each Other Agreement which is to be
executed and delivered by the Principal Shareholders, when executed and
delivered by such Shareholders, shall constitute, the valid and binding
obligation of each of the Principal Shareholders, enforceable in accordance with
its own terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,

                                        6

<PAGE>   14



reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting
the rights and remedies of creditors generally and to general equitable
principles (regardless of whether at law or in equity). This Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by DSI and constitutes, and each Other Agreement
which is to be executed and delivered by DSI, when executed and delivered by
DSI, shall constitute, the valid and binding obligation of DSI, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting
the rights and remedies of creditors generally and to general equitable
principles (regardless of whether at law or in equity).

                  Section 2.6 NO VIOLATION OF LAWS OR AGREEMENTS. Except as set
forth on Schedule 2.6, none of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or
any Other Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby or the compliance with or fulfillment of the terms, conditions and
provisions hereof or thereof by the Principal Shareholders or DSI will: (i)
contravene any provision of the charter or bylaws of DSI, (ii) conflict with,
result in a breach of or constitute a default or an event of default (or an
event which would, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both,
constitute a default) under any term, condition or provision of, or result in
the termination or loss of any right (or give others the right to cause such a
termination or loss) under, any license, franchise, indenture, mortgage or any
other Contract (as defined in Section 2.14), agreement or instrument to which
any Principal Shareholder or DSI is a party or by which any of them or any of
their assets may be bound or, to the knowledge of the Principal Shareholders,
affected, (iii) violate any Law (as defined in Section 2.16) or violate any
judgment or order of any court, government, department, commission, board,
bureau, agency, official or other regulatory, administrative or governmental
authority or instrumentality, whether federal, state, local or foreign
("Governmental Body") to which DSI or any of its Affiliates are subject, (iv)
result in the creation or imposition of any Encumbrance upon any DSI Common
Stock or the assets of DSI or give to others any interests or rights therein, or
(v) result in the creation, maturation or acceleration of any Liability (as
defined in Section 2.8) or obligation of DSI (or give others the right to cause
such a creation, maturation or acceleration), that, in the case of clauses (ii)
through (v), would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition,
assets, Liabilities, net worth or Business of DSI ("Material Adverse Effect") or
give any person the right to prevent the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or any Other Agreement. Except as may be required
by the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-Trust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended
(the "HSR Act"), and except as set forth on Schedule 2.6 (collectively, the
"Consents"), no consent, approval, declaration or authorization of, or
registration or filing with, any Person (including any Governmental Body) is
required in connection with the execution and delivery by the Principal
Shareholders or DSI of this Agreement or the Other Agreements to which they are
a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
by the Principal Shareholders or DSI except for those as to which the failure to
obtain, register or file would not have a Material Adverse Effect or give any
person the right to prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or any Other Agreement. "Encumbrance" or "Encumbrances" means any
security interest, pledge, mortgage, lien (including, without limitation,
environmental and tax liens), charge, encumbrance, adverse claim, preferential
arrangement or

                                        7

<PAGE>   15



restriction of any kind, including, without limitation, any restriction on the
use, voting, transfer receipt of income or other exercise of any attributes of
ownership.

                  Section 2.7 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; MINIMUM CASH BALANCE. The
Shareholders have previously delivered to ADLT a balance sheet and an income
statement for DSI for the twelve month period ended June 30, 1997 (such balance
sheet is sometimes referred to herein as the "Balance Sheet," and all of the
foregoing are referred to herein collectively as the "DSI Financial
Statements"). The DSI Financial Statements fairly present the financial
condition, assets and Liabilities (as defined in Section 2.8) and results of
operations and cash flows of DSI in accordance with GAAP (except that the
Balance Sheet does not include notes) at the date and for the year indicated. On
the Closing Date, DSI shall have cash and Cash Equivalents of at least
$1,500,000, less (i) amounts expended on DSI's new coating line, described in
Schedule 2.7 (the "New Line") to the extent such amounts are not paid out of the
proceeds of the related financing and (ii) reasonable expenses paid by DSI in
connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the Other
Agreements and the performance of its obligations pursuant hereto and thereto.
As used herein, "Cash Equivalent" means highly liquid investments with a
maturity of 3 months or less.

                  Section 2.8 UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as disclosed in
the DSI Financial Statements and as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 2.8 hereto
and any other Schedules hereto, at November 28, 1997, DSI had no liabilities of
any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, fixed, contingent or otherwise) whether
due or to become due, including any unasserted claim, whether incurred directly
or by any predecessor, and whether arising out of any act, omission,
transaction, circumstance, sale of goods or services, state of facts or other
condition ("Liabilities"), that would be required to be reflected on a balance
sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP or that would, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Liabilities that have arisen in the
ordinary course of business of DSI after the date of the Balance Sheet through
the date hereof have been consistent in amount and character with past practice
and experience. Without limiting the foregoing, on the Closing Date, DSI shall
have no outstanding Liabilities of any kind or nature to the Shareholders or any
other Affiliate of DSI and, except as disclosed on Schedule 2.8 or another
Schedule to this Agreement, DSI shall have no outstanding Liabilities to any
Person for borrowed money. As used herein, "Affiliate" means, with respect to
any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such
Person.

                  Section 2.9 NO CHANGES. Since the date of the Balance Sheet,
DSI has conducted its business only in the ordinary course. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing sentence, since the date of the Balance Sheet, there
has not been any (i) material adverse change in the financial condition, assets,
Liabilities, net worth, Business or, to the knowledge of the Principal
Shareholders and DSI, prospects of DSI; (ii) declaration or payment of any
dividend or other distribution on or with respect to, or redemption or purchase
by DSI, of any shares of DSI Common Stock, including any of the DSI Shares;
(iii) change in any method of accounting; (iv) payment, prepayment or discharge
of any Liability other than in the ordinary course of business or any failure to
pay any Liability when due except in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice;

          
                                        8

<PAGE>   16



(v) write-offs or write-downs of any assets of DSI in excess of $25,000 in the
aggregate except in the ordinary course of business; (vi) termination or waiver
of any material right under any agreement of DSI; (vii) agreement or commitment
to do any of the foregoing; (viii) disposition of any asset for more than
$25,000 or for less than fair market value; or (ix) asset acquisitions or
expenditures, including capital expenditures, in excess of $100,000 in the
aggregate, excluding expenditures with respect to the New Line. During the
one-year period ending on the date hereof, except as set forth in Schedule 2.9A,
there has been no (a) damage or destruction to any material asset of DSI,
whether or not covered by insurance; (b) strike or other labor trouble at DSI;
(c) increase in the salary, wage or bonus of any employee of DSI; (d) change in
any DSI Plan (as defined in Section 2.22(a)); (e) payment to or transaction with
any Related Party, which payment or transaction is not specifically disclosed on
Schedule 2.18; (f) material change in the manner in which DSI conducts its
Business; (g) exercise of any options or other Security Rights with respect to
DSI capital stock; or (h) agreement or commitment to do any of the foregoing.

                  Section 2.10      TAX MATTERS.

                  (a) All federal, state, local and other income or franchise
taxes, gross receipts, payroll, withholding and capital stock taxes and any
interest and penalties related thereto (collectively, "Taxes") that were or are
required under Law to be paid by DSI (or by any DSI Affiliate in respect of DSI)
have been paid, other than Taxes arising after the date of the Balance Sheet in
the ordinary course of business, none of which are overdue. There are no Tax
liens upon any property or assets of DSI, except liens for current Taxes
reflected on the Balance Sheet, or arising after the date of the Balance Sheet
in the ordinary course of business, none of which are overdue. Except as set
forth in Schedule 2.10, DSI is not currently the beneficiary of any extension of
time within which to file any Tax Return. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.10,
no claim has been made by a taxing authority of a jurisdiction where DSI does
not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation in that
jurisdiction. All Taxes that DSI (or any DSI Affiliate in respect of DSI) was
required by Law to withhold or collect, have been and are being withheld or
collected by it and have been and are being timely paid over to the proper
Governmental Body.

                  (b) All Tax Returns that are required to be filed by DSI (or
by any DSI Affiliate in respect of DSI) prior to or on the Closing Date,
pursuant to the Law of each governmental authority with taxing power over it
have been filed or caused to be filed on a timely basis, or will be filed or
cause to be filed on a timely basis. All such Tax Returns were or will be, as
the case may be, correct and complete in all material respects. All such Taxes
that have become due as shown on such Tax Returns or pursuant to any assessment
received as an adjustment to such Tax Returns have been paid.

                  (c) DSI has not received from the Internal Revenue Service or
from any other tax authority from any state, foreign, county, local or other
jurisdiction a notice of underpayment of Taxes, a proposed assessment of Tax, a
proposed adjustment to any Tax return filed or other deficiency that has not
been paid.


          
                                        9

<PAGE>   17



                  (d) Neither DSI nor any Affiliate of DSI has waived
restrictions on assessment or collection of Taxes or executed a waiver or
consented to the extension of any statute of limitations for federal income or
other Tax Liability that remains outstanding. Except as set forth on Schedule
2.10, neither DSI nor any DSI Affiliate in respect of DSI has made any payments,
is obligated to make any payments, or is a party to any agreement that under any
circumstances could obligate it to make any payments that will not be deductible
under Code Section 280G or 162(m).

                  Section 2.11      RECEIVABLES; INVENTORY.

                  (a) RECEIVABLES. Schedule 2.11 discloses all trade and other
accounts receivable of DSI ("Receivables") outstanding as of November 28, 1997
presented on an aged basis and separately identifies the name of, or DSI's code
name for, each account debtor and the total amount of each related Receivable.
All Receivables, whether disclosed on Schedule 2.11 or created after November
28, 1997, arose from bona fide sale transactions of DSI, and except as disclosed
on Schedule 2.11 and to the extent of the recorded reserve for doubtful accounts
specified on the Balance Sheet, no portion of any Receivable is subject to
counterclaim, defense or set-off or is otherwise in dispute. Except to the
extent of the recorded reserve for doubtful accounts specified on the Balance
Sheet, and the Receivables subject to counterclaim, defense or set-off or
otherwise in dispute disclosed on Schedule 2.11, all of the Receivables are
collectible in the ordinary course of business and will be fully collected
within 120 days after having been created using commercially reasonable efforts
with payments by each debtor being applied first to accounts as specified by
such debtor and, if no account is specified, to accounts of such debtor first
created.

                  (b) INVENTORY. The inventories of DSI are sufficient to permit
the conduct of the DSI Business in the ordinary course of business immediately
following the Closing in the manner in which the DSI Business is presently
conducted.

                  (c) TRADE PAYABLES. The trade payables of DSI are, and will at
Closing be, consistent with historical levels and aging.

                  Section 2.12 BUSINESS; ASSETS. DSI is engaged in the business
of manufacturing and selling thin-film coated products and custom designed
deposition equipment and software and developing and licensing deposition
technology using conventional and enhanced deposition by evaporation,
sputtering, chemical vapor deposition and plasma chemical vapor deposition for
consumer, commercial, aerospace and government customers (collectively, the
"Business") and no other businesses. DSI's equipment and DSI's buildings,
fixtures, improvements, machinery, equipment, tools, furniture, improvements and
tangible personal property, including those reflected on the Balance Sheet, are,
in the aggregate, in good operating condition and repair and are suitable for
the purposes for which they are used in the Business. DSI has good, marketable,
legal, beneficial and exclusive title to all of its assets; all of such assets
are reflected on the Balance Sheet or, under GAAP, are not required to be
reflected thereon; and none of such assets is subject to any Encumbrance, except
Permitted Encumbrances. As used herein, the term "Permitted Encumbrances" means
liens for governmental charges that are not yet due and payable and liens
identified in

          
                                       10

<PAGE>   18



Schedule 2.12. Schedule 2.12 identifies each material asset of DSI that is not
located on property owned or leased by DSI, other than vehicles owned or leased
by DSI.

                  Section 2.13 LITIGATION. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.13,
there are no actions, suits, investigations, claims or proceedings of any nature
or kind whatsoever ("Litigation") pending or, to the knowledge of the Principal
Shareholders, threatened against or affecting DSI, its assets, the Business, or
the DSI Shares (i) where the claim is stated to be in excess of $25,000, in any
individual instance, or in excess of $100,000, in the aggregate, or (ii) which
if adversely determined, would be reasonably expected to materially and
adversely affect the Business or the operations of DSI or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or any Other Agreement. There are no outstanding
judgments, decrees or orders of any Governmental Body against or affecting DSI,
the DSI Shares, the Business or DSI's assets. DSI has not commenced and does not
have pending any action, suit or proceeding against any third party, except as
set forth on Schedule 2.13. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.13, DSI has not
been a party to any other Litigation during the past three years which resulted
in a liability in excess of $25,000, in any individual instance, or which
adversely affected the Business or the operations of DSI.

                  Section 2.14      CONTRACTS; COMPLIANCE.

                  (a) Disclosed on Schedule 2.14 is a brief description of each
contract, lease, indenture, mortgage, instrument, commitment or other agreement,
arrangement or understanding, oral or written, formal or informal, to which DSI
is a party with respect to which DSI has continuing Liability and that (i)
involves the purchase, sale or lease of any asset, materials, supplies,
inventory or services in excess of $150,000 per year, (ii) relates to the
borrowing or lending of any money or guarantee of any obligation, (iii) limits
the right of DSI to compete in any line of business or otherwise restricts any
right DSI may have (excluding contracts that are terminable with no continuing
Liability by DSI on thirty (30) days (or less) written notice), (iv) is an
employment or consulting contract involving payment of compensation and benefits
in excess of $100,000 per year or is not terminable at will by DSI; (v) involves
the pending or former purchase or sale of any business; (vi) is with any Related
Party; or (vii) was not entered into in the ordinary course (each, a "Contract"
and collectively, the "Contracts"). Schedule 2.14 discloses any outstanding
stand-by letters of credit issued for the account of DSI (the "Letters of
Credit").

                  (b) Each Contract is a legal, valid and binding obligation of
DSI and is in full force and effect. Except as disclosed on Schedule 2.14, DSI
and, to the knowledge of the Principal Shareholders, each other party to each
Contract has performed all obligations required to be performed by it thereunder
and is not in breach or default, and is not alleged to be in breach or default,
in any material respect thereunder, and no event has occurred and no condition
or state of facts exists (or would exist upon the giving of notice or the lapse
of time or both) that would become or cause a breach, default or event of
default thereunder, which would give to any Person the right to cause such a
termination or would cause an acceleration of any obligation thereunder. Except
as disclosed on Schedule 2.14, DSI is not currently renegotiating any Contract
nor has DSI received any

          
                                       11

<PAGE>   19



notice of non-renewal or, except as provided in the Contract, price increase or
sales or production allocation with respect to any Contract.

                  The parties recognize that there are certain Contracts the
existence and/or the terms of which cannot be disclosed to ADLT as a result of
the nature thereof and that Schedule 2.14 discloses only general information
with respect to such Contracts in the aggregate. ADLT agrees that,
notwithstanding the terms of this Section 2.14 or Article 9 of this Agreement,
the Shareholders shall have no liability to ADLT as a result of the failure to
have disclosed any information with respect to such Contracts or as a result of
the performance of such Contracts.

                  Section 2.15 PERMITS. DSI holds and is in compliance in all
material respects with all permits, certificates, licenses, franchises,
privileges, approvals, registrations and authorizations required under all Laws,
rules and regulations or advisable in connection with the operation of DSI's
assets and the Business (collectively, the "Permits"), except that DSI may have
performed certain construction activities prior to the receipt of the requisite
construction permits, and each of such Permits is in full force and effect. No
notice of cancellation of or default, dispute or complaint concerning any
Permit, or of any event, condition or state of facts described in the preceding
sentence, has been received by DSI.

                  Section 2.16 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. DSI is not, and has
received no notice that it is, in violation in any material respect of any
applicable foreign, federal, state and local statutes, laws, ordinances, rules
or regulations (collectively, "Laws"), and no event has occurred or condition or
state of facts exists that could give rise to any such violation.

                  Section 2.17 REAL PROPERTY. Schedule 2.17 sets forth a correct
list and summary descriptions (showing the record title holder, location, uses
being made thereof and indebtedness of DSI secured by a mortgage or other
Encumbrance thereon) of all real properties currently owned or leased by DSI or
in which DSI has an interest (including options) (collectively, the "Real
Property"). Except as described in Schedule 2.17, there are no leases,
subleases, tenancies or other rights of occupancy affecting all or any part of
the Real Property owned by DSI, and DSI has not granted any options to purchase
or otherwise acquire, and there are no outstanding offers to purchase, all or
any part of the Real Property owned by DSI. DSI has the right to quiet enjoyment
of all Real Property in which it holds a leasehold interest for the full term,
including all renewal rights, of the lease or similar agreement relating
thereto. DSI has not received any written or oral notice of assessments for
public improvements or condemnation against any Real Property.

                  Section 2.18 TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES. Except for
employment relationships and salaries disclosed in Schedule 2.18 or as otherwise
disclosed on Schedule 2.18, no Related Party (as hereafter defined) has directly
or indirectly:

                  (a) Any Liability to or any right to receive property from 
DSI;


          
                                       12

<PAGE>   20



                  (b) Any contractual or other claim against DSI or any
obligation under any contractual or other claim to or from DSI;

                  (c) Any interest in any property or assets used or owned by
DSI or necessary for use in the Business or used any of the assets of DSI (other
than ownership of the DSI Shares);

                  (d) Any agreement or plan providing for payment or vesting (or
acceleration of either) of property, severance benefits or other benefits that
are contingent on the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or conditioned
upon a change of control after the termination of employment of such employee
regardless of the reason for such termination of employment or the value of any
of the benefits which will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;

                  (e) Any agreement relating to DSI providing any term of
employment that is not terminable at will;

                  (f) Become a party to any Contract or has any agreement or
understanding of any nature with any party to any Contract; or

                  (g) Has any other agreement or understanding or is engaged in
any other transaction of any nature with DSI, its officers or directors
(relating to DSI), its suppliers, vendors or customers.

As used herein, the term "Related Party" means (i) the Shareholders, (ii) any
Affiliate of the Shareholders or DSI, (iii) any officer or director of DSI and
(iv) any spouse, sibling, ancestor or lineal descendant of any natural person
identified in preceding clauses. Without limiting the foregoing, (A) Schedule
2.18 identifies any assets, arrangements or services to which DSI is a party or
with respect to which DSI benefits that will have to be replaced or would be
materially adversely affected after Closing because DSI will after Closing no
longer be owned directly by the Shareholders and (B) Schedule 2.18 identifies
any and all assets (including insurance claims files, legal files, accounting
information, tax returns, etc.) of DSI in the possession of the Shareholders.

                  Section 2.19 INSURANCE. Schedule 2.19 sets forth a complete
list of all policies of insurance (collectively, the "Insurance Policies") of
which DSI is the owner, insured or beneficiary or programs of self insurance and
identifies whether such policies are claims made or occurrence policies. Except
as set forth on Schedule 2.19, all premiums under the Insurance Policies have
been paid in accordance with the terms of the policies and there are no deposits
or other amounts for the benefit of DSI held by any third party relating to any
insurance or self insurance program of DSI. There have been no material defaults
with respect to any provision contained in any such Insurance Policies, nor has
there been any material failure to give any notice or present any material claim
under any such policies in a timely fashion or in the manner or detail required
by the Insurance Policies. No notice of cancellation or non-renewal with respect
to, or disallowance of any claim under, or increase of the premium for any such
insurance policy has been received by the

          
                                       13

<PAGE>   21



Shareholders or DSI except in the ordinary course of business. Schedule 2.19
describes in detail any program of self-insurance maintained by DSI or by any
Affiliate of DSI for or on behalf of DSI. All of DSI's environmental pollution
insurance coverage policies are identified on Schedule 2.19.

                  Section 2.20 EMPLOYEE RELATIONS. No employee of DSI is
represented by any union or other labor organization. Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.20, no representation election, arbitration proceeding, grievance,
labor strike, dispute, slowdown, stoppage or other labor trouble is pending or,
to the knowledge of the Principal Shareholders, threatened against, involving,
affecting or potentially affecting DSI. No complaint against DSI is pending or,
to the knowledge of the Principal Shareholders, threatened before the National
Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any
similar state or local agency, by or on behalf of any employee of DSI. DSI has
no contingent Liability for sick leave, vacation time, severance pay or any
similar item not fully reserved on the Balance Sheet or incurred in the ordinary
course of business after the date of the Balance Sheet. To the knowledge of the
Principal Shareholders, DSI has no contingent Liability for any occupational
disease of any of its employees, former employees or others. Neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of the provisions
hereof nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will trigger
any severance pay obligation under any contract to which DSI or any Affiliate of
DSI is a party or under any Law.

                  Section 2.21 PATENTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.

                  (a) Schedule 2.21 contains a complete list of all trademark
rights, trademark applications, trademark registrations, service marks, trade
names and brand names, copyright registrations and copyright applications,
letters patent, patent applications, logos and licenses (except for licenses
whereby DSI licenses software not material to the Business from third parties or
the amount of the obligation for such license is less than $20,000 in any one
year) used in the Business including the expiration dates, if any, of each such
intellectual property right.

                  (b) DSI owns or possesses, licenses, has the right to use or
can acquire on reasonable terms, the intellectual property rights identified
pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, any other processes, know-how and related
formulae, trade secrets, inventions, discoveries, improvements, blueprints,
specifications, drawings, designs, shop and royalty rights and other similar
types of proprietary intellectual property, and all research and development
necessary for the conduct of the Business including, but not limited to, all
laboratory research aimed at discovery of new knowledge; searching for
applications of new research findings or other knowledge; conceptual formulation
and design of possible product or process alternatives; testing in search for or
evaluation of product or process alternatives; modification of the formulation
or design of a product or process; design, construction and testing of
preproduction prototypes and models; design and tools, jigs, molds and dies
involving new technology; and engineering activity required to advance the
design of a product to the point that it meets specific functional and economic
requirements and is ready for manufacture (collectively, "Intellectual Property
Rights") used in or applicable to the Business. Other than as reflected in
Schedules 2.8, 2.13 or 2.21, DSI has not received any notice of, nor does it
have any reasonable belief that its use constitutes, a material infringement of
or conflict with

          
                                       14

<PAGE>   22



asserted rights of any third party with respect to any of the foregoing which,
singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or
finding, would result in a material adverse change in the condition, financial
or otherwise, or in the management, business prospects, earnings, business or
operations of DSI. Schedule 2.21 identifies any Intellectual Property Right
which is used by DSI but not owned by DSI.

                  Section 2.22 BENEFIT PLANS.

                  (a) BENEFIT PLANS; DSI PLANS. Schedule 2.22 discloses all
written and unwritten "employee benefit plans" within the meaning of Section
3(3) of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
and the applicable rulings and regulations thereunder ("ERISA"), and any other
written and unwritten profit sharing, pension, savings, deferred compensation,
fringe benefit, insurance, medical, medical reimbursement, life, disability,
accident, post-retirement health or welfare benefit, stock option, stock
purchase, sick pay, vacation, employment, severance, termination or other plan,
agreement, contract, policy, trust fund or arrangement (each, a "Benefit Plan"),
whether or not funded, (i) maintained or sponsored by DSI, (ii) with respect to
which DSI (or the Shareholders with respect to DSI) has or may have Liability or
is obligated to contribute, (A) that otherwise covers any of the current or
former employees of DSI or its Affiliates or (B) as to which any such current or
former employees or their beneficiaries participated or were entitled to
participate or accrue or have accrued any rights thereunder (each, a "DSI
Plan").

                  (b) DSI GROUP MATTERS; FUNDING. Neither DSI nor any
corporation that may be aggregated with DSI under Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or
(o) of the Code (the "DSI Group") has any obligation to contribute to or any
direct or indirect Liability under or with respect to any Benefit Plan of the
type described in Sections 4063 and 4064 of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code.
DSI does not have any Liability, and after the Closing DSI will not have any
Liability, with respect to any Benefit Plan of any other member of the DSI
Group, whether as a result of delinquent contributions, distress terminations,
fraudulent transfers, failure to pay premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation (the "PBGC"), withdrawal Liability or otherwise. No accumulated
funding deficiency (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the
Code) exists nor has any funding waiver from the IRS been received or requested
with respect to any DSI Plan or any Benefit Plan of any member of the DSI Group
and no excise or other Tax is due or owing because of any failure to comply with
the minimum funding standards of the Code or ERISA with respect to any of such
plans.

                  (c) COMPLIANCE. To the knowledge of the Principal
Shareholders, each of the DSI Plans and all related trusts, insurance contracts
and funds have been created, maintained, funded and administered, in all
material respects, in compliance with all applicable Laws and in compliance, in
all material respects, with the plan document, trust agreement, insurance policy
or other writing creating the same or applicable thereto. No DSI Plan is or, to
the knowledge of the Principal Shareholders, is proposed to be under audit or
investigation, and no completed audit of any DSI Plan has resulted in the
imposition of any Tax, fine or penalty.

          
                                       15

<PAGE>   23




                  (d) QUALIFIED PLANS. Schedule 2.22 discloses each DSI Plan
that purports to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt
from United States federal income Tax under Section 501(a) of the Code (a
"Qualified Plan"). With respect to each Qualified Plan, a determination letter
(or opinion or notification letter, if applicable) covering the U.S. Tax Reform
Act of 1986 and later Code changes for which the remedial amendment period has
closed has been received from the IRS that such plan is qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code and exempt from federal income Tax under Section 501(a) of
the Code. Except as disclosed on Schedule 2.22, no Qualified Plan has been
amended since the date of the most recent such letter. To the knowledge of the
Principal Shareholders, no member of DSI Group, nor any fiduciary of any
Qualified Plan, nor any agent of any of the foregoing, has done anything that
would adversely affect the qualified status of a Qualified Plan or the qualified
status of any related trust.

                  (e) NO DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS. No DSI Plan is a defined benefit
plan within the meaning of Section 3(35) of ERISA (a "Defined Benefit Plan"). No
Defined Benefit Plan sponsored or maintained by any member of DSI Group has been
terminated or partially terminated after September 1, 1974. During the five year
period ending on the Closing Date, no member of DSI Group has transferred a
Defined Benefit Plan to a corporation that was not, at the time of transfer,
related to the transferor in any manner described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m)
or (o) of the Code.

                  (f) MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS. No DSI Plan is a multiemployer plan
within the meaning of Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA (a
"Multiemployer Plan"). No member of DSI Group has withdrawn from any
Multiemployer Plan or incurred any withdrawal Liability to or under any
Multiemployer Plan. No DSI Plan covers any employees of any member of DSI Group
in any foreign country or territory.

                  (g) PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS; FIDUCIARY DUTIES; POST-RETIREMENT
BENEFITS. No prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA
and Section 4975 of the Code) with respect to any DSI Plan exists or has
occurred that could subject DSI to any Liability or Tax under Part 5 of Title I
of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. Neither DSI nor, to the knowledge of the
Principal Shareholders, any administrator or fiduciary of any DSI Plan, nor any
agent of any of the foregoing, has engaged in any transaction or acted or failed
to act in a manner that will subject DSI to any material Liability for a breach
of fiduciary or other duty under ERISA or any other applicable Law. With the
exception of the requirements of Section 4980B of the Code and except as
disclosed on Schedule 2.22, no post-retirement benefits are provided under any
DSI Plan that is a welfare benefit plan as described in ERISA Section 3(1).

                  Section 2.23 FINDER'S FEES. Neither the Principal Shareholders
nor DSI nor any of DSI's officers, directors or employees has employed any
broker or finder or incurred any Liability for any brokerage fees, commissions
or finder's fees in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.
Neither the Principal Shareholders nor, to the knowledge of the Principal
Shareholders, any of DSI's other officers, directors or employees has made any
agreement or taken

          
                                       16

<PAGE>   24



any other action which might cause anyone to become entitled to a broker's fee
or commission as a result of the transactions contemplated hereunder.

                  Section 2.24 CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS. Schedule 2.24 sets
forth a true, correct and complete list of all confidentiality agreements to
which DSI is a party. All such agreements are valid and binding agreements,
enforceable in accordance with their terms and are in full force and effect. DSI
has performed all obligations required to be performed by DSI under such
agreements and is not in breach or default in any material respect thereunder,
and there has been no event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of
time or both, would become a material breach or default by DSI thereunder.

                  Section 2.25 COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. Except as 
provided in Schedule 2.25:

                  (a) COMPLIANCE; NO LIABILITY. DSI has operated its Business
and each parcel of Real Property in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable Environmental Laws. To the knowledge of the Principal Shareholders,
DSI is not subject to any Liability, penalty or expense (including legal fees)
and will not hereafter suffer or incur any loss, Liability, penalty or expense
(including legal fees) by virtue of any violation of any Environmental Law
occurring prior to the Closing, any environmental activity conducted on or with
respect to the Real Property at or prior to the Closing or any environmental
condition existing on or with respect to the Real Property at or prior to the
Closing, in each case whether or not DSI permitted or participated in such act
or omission.

                  "Environmental Law" means any applicable Law relating to the
environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or
contaminants, including common law nuisance, property damage and similar common
law theories.

                  (b) TREATMENT; CERCLIS. DSI has not treated, stored, recycled
or disposed of any Regulated Material on any real property except in compliance
with applicable Environmental Laws, and, to the knowledge of the Principal
Shareholders, no other Person has treated, stored, recycled or disposed of any
Regulated Material on any part of the Real Property except in compliance with
applicable Environmental Laws. To the knowledge of the Principal Shareholders,
there has been no release of, and there is not present any Regulated Material
at, on or under any Real Property. To the knowledge of the Principal
Shareholders, DSI has not transported any Regulated Material or arranged for the
transportation of any Regulated Material to any location that is listed or
proposed for listing on the National Priorities List pursuant to Superfund, on
CERCLIS or to the knowledge of the Principal Shareholders, any other location
that is the subject of federal, state or local enforcement action or other
investigation that may lead to claims against DSI for cleanup costs, remedial
action, damages to natural resources, to other property or for personal injury
including claims under Superfund. None of the Real Property is listed or to the
knowledge of the Principal Shareholders, proposed for listing on the National
Priorities List pursuant to Superfund, CERCLIS or any state or local list of
sites requiring investigation or cleanup. "Regulated Material" means any

          
                                       17

<PAGE>   25



hazardous substance as defined by any Environmental Law and any other material
regulated by any applicable Environmental Law, including, polychlorinated
biphenyls, petroleum, petroleum-related material, crude oil or any fraction
thereof. "CERCLIS" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
Liability Information System List pursuant to Superfund. "Superfund" means the
U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of
1980, 42 U.S.C. Sections 9601 et seq., as amended.

                  (c) NOTICES; EXISTING CLAIMS; CERTAIN REGULATED MATERIALS;
STORAGE TANKS. DSI has not received any request for information, notice of
claim, demand or other notification that it is or may be potentially responsible
with respect to any investigation, abatement or cleanup of any threatened or
actual release of any Regulated Material. DSI has not transported any Regulated
Material for recycling, treatment, disposal, other handling or otherwise other
than in compliance with applicable law. There has been no past, and there is no
pending or contemplated, claim by DSI under any Environmental Law or Laws based
on actions of others that may have impacted on the Real Property, and DSI has
not entered into any agreement with any Person regarding any Environmental Law,
remedial action or other environmental Liability or expense. To the knowledge of
the Principal Shareholders, all storage tanks located on the Real Property
whether underground or aboveground are in sound condition and are not leaking
and have not leaked, except as disclosed on Schedule 2.25.

                  Section 2.26 DISCLOSURE. None of the representations or
warranties of the Principal Shareholders or DSI contained in this Article 2 and
none of the information contained in the Schedules referred to in Article 2 is
false or misleading in any material respect or omits to state a fact herein or
therein necessary to make the statements herein or therein not misleading in any
material respect.

                                    ARTICLE 3
                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SHAREHOLDERS

                  Each Principal Shareholder individually represents and
warrants to ADLT, with respect to such Shareholder's DSI Shares, as follows:

                  Section 3.1 TITLE TO DSI SHARES. Such Shareholder has legal,
valid, beneficial and exclusive title to his DSI Shares, free of all
Encumbrances, and upon delivery of such DSI Shares at Closing against receipt of
the Purchase Price to be delivered to such Shareholder, ADLT shall acquire legal
and valid title to such DSI Shares, free of all encumbrances.

                  Section 3.2 PURCHASE ENTIRELY FOR OWN ACCOUNT. Such
Shareholder confirms he is acquiring the ADLT Shares solely for his or her own
account for investment, not as a nominee or agent and not with a view to the
resale or distribution of any part thereof and such Shareholder has no present
intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing
the same. Such Shareholder further represents that he does not have any
contract, undertaking, agreement or

          
                                       18

<PAGE>   26



arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participation to such
person or any third person, with respect to any of the ADLT Shares.

                  Section 3.3 RESTRICTED SECURITIES.

                  (a) Such Shareholder understands that the issuance of the ADLT
shares pursuant to this Agreement and the Merger Agreement have not been
registered pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), or under any state securities laws, that the ADLT Shares are
characterized as "restricted securities" under the federal securities laws
inasmuch as they will be initially acquired from ADLT in a transaction not
involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations,
such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act,
only in certain limited circumstances. In this connection, such Shareholder
represents that he is familiar with SEC Rule 144 as presently in effect, and
understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act.

                  (b) Such Shareholder further understands that the transfer of
the ADLT Shares is further limited by the terms of this Agreement and that
transfers of the ADLT Shares are generally not permitted prior to the first
anniversary of the Closing Date without the consent of ADLT, which consent is in
the sole and absolute discretion of ADLT.

                  Section 3.4 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. Such Shareholder
represents he has had an opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers
from ADLT regarding ADLT and its business. Such Shareholder believes he has
received all the information he considers necessary or appropriate for deciding
whether to acquire the ADLT Shares.

                  Section 3.5 INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE. Such Shareholder
acknowledges he is able to fend for himself, can bear the economic risk of his
investment and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business
matters that he is capable of evaluating the merits of acquiring the ADLT
Shares.

                  Section 3.6 ACCREDITED INVESTOR. Such Shareholder represents
he is an "accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation
D of the Act, as presently in effect.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ADLT

                  ADLT represents and warrants to the Shareholders as follows:

                  Section 4.1 TITLE TO ADLT SHARES. Upon delivery of the ADLT
Shares at Closing against receipt of the DSI Shares, each Shareholder shall
acquire legal and valid title to his or her ADLT Shares free of any
Encumbrances.

                  Section 4.2 ORGANIZATION. Each of ADLT and Acquisition has 
been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
under the laws of the State of

          
                                       19

<PAGE>   27



Ohio, has the corporate power and authority to own or lease its property as now
owned or leased and to conduct its business as it is now conducted and is duly
qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in
which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property
requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so
qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on
ADLT and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  Section 4.3 SHARES; CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital
stock of ADLT consists of (i) 80,000,000 shares of ADLT Common Stock, of which
16,471,036 were issued and outstanding as of November 10, 1997, and (ii)
1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, none of which is issued
and outstanding. On the Effective Date under the Merger Agreement, the ADLT
Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
not subject to preemptive rights created by statute, ADLT's Articles of
Incorporation or Regulations or any agreement to which ADLT is a party or is
bound. The authorized capital stock of Acquisition consists of 850 shares of
common stock, of which 100 shares are issued and outstanding.

                  Section 4.4 SUBSIDIARIES. Each subsidiary of ADLT has been
duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and
authority to own or lease its property and to conduct its business as described
in the Prospectus and the Annual Report (as defined in Section 4.8) and is duly
qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in
which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property
requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so
qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on
ADLT and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; all of the issued shares of capital
stock of each subsidiary of ADLT have been duly and validly authorized and
issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly by ADLT or a
subsidiary of ADLT, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or
claims. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term subsidiary shall exclude
any entity as to which ADLT (and all subsidiaries of ADLT, taken as a whole)
does not own an equity interest entitling ADLT to exercise in excess of 50% of
the voting power of such entity. A list of entities in which the equity interest
of ADLT (and all subsidiaries of ADLT, taken as a whole) exceeds 20% is set
forth on Schedule 4.4.

                  Section 4.5 AUTHORIZATION AND ENFORCEABILITY. The execution,
delivery and performance by ADLT of this Agreement, and by Acquisition of this
Agreement and the Merger Agreement, have been duly authorized by all necessary
action on the part of ADLT and Acquisition. The execution, delivery and
performance by ADLT and Acquisition of each Other Agreement to which ADLT or
Acquisition, as the case may be, is a party has been duly authorized by all
necessary action on its part. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of ADLT,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, this Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of
Acquisition, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and each Other Agreement
which is to be executed and delivered by ADLT or Acquisition, when executed and
delivered by

          
                                       20

<PAGE>   28



ADLT or Acquisition, as the case may be, shall constitute, the valid and binding
obligation of ADLT or Acquisition, as the case may be, enforceable in accordance
with its terms.

                  Section 4.6 NO VIOLATION OF LAWS OR AGREEMENTS. Except as set
forth on Schedule 4.6, none of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or
any Other Agreements, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby or the compliance with or fulfillment of the terms, conditions and
provisions hereof or thereof by ADLT or Acquisition, nor the execution and
delivery of any Other Agreement, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby or the compliance with or fulfillment of the terms,
conditions and provisions thereof by ADLT or Acquisition, will: (i) contravene
any provision of the charter or regulations of ADLT or any of ADLT's
subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default
or an event of default (or an event which would, with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both, constitute a default) under any term, condition or
provision of, or results in the termination or loss of any right (or give others
the right to cause such a termination or loss) under, any license, franchise,
indenture, mortgage or any other contract, agreement or instrument to which ADLT
or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the assets of ADLT or any of
its subsidiaries may be bound or affected, and which is material to ADLT and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) violate any Law or violate any judgment or
order of any Governmental Body to which ADLT or any of its subsidiaries is
subject, (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Encumbrance upon the
ADLT Shares or any material assets of ADLT or any of its subsidiaries, or give
to others any interests or rights therein, or (v) result in the creation,
maturation or acceleration of any Liability or obligation of ADLT or Acquisition
(or give others the right to cause such a maturation or acceleration). Except as
may be required by the HSR Act and the Exchange Act (as defined below), and the
listing of the ADLT Shares on the NASDAQ National Market, no consent, approval,
declaration or authorization of, or registration or filing with, any Person
(including any Governmental Body) is required in connection with the execution
and delivery by ADLT of this Agreement, the execution and delivery by
Acquisition of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement, or the execution by ADLT
or Acquisition of the Other Agreements, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby by ADLT or Acquisition; provided, however, that,
in making this representation, ADLT is relying on certain representations of the
Shareholders in Article 3, pursuant to which the issuance of the ADLT Shares is
exempt from registration under the Securities Act.

                  Section 4.7 SEC REPORTS. ADLT has delivered to DSI and the
Principal Shareholders a copy of each report (including the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the 12 months ended June 30, 1997 (the "Annual Report")
and the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30,
1997) and proxy statement filed by it since June 30, 1997 and prior to the date
hereof (excluding exhibits filed therewith) (the "Exchange Act Filings"), each
in the form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the
U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and a copy
of the 424(b) prospectus dated July 1, 1997 relating to ADLT's Registration
Statement No. 333-28529 under the Securities Act (the "Prospectus"; the Exchange
Act Filings and the Prospectus are sometimes referred to collectively as the
"SEC Filings"). The SEC Filings, as of their respective filing dates, (i)
complied as to form in all material respects with all applicable requirements of
the Securities Act or the Exchange Act,

          
                                       21

<PAGE>   29



as the case may be, and (ii) did not contain any untrue statement of material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.

                  Section 4.8 FINDER'S FEES. Neither ADLT or its subsidiaries,
nor any of their respective officers, directors or employees has employed any
broker or finder or incurred any Liability for any brokerage fees, commissions
or finder's fees in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.
Neither ADLT, its Affiliates nor any of their respective officers, directors or
employees has made an agreement or taken any other action which might cause
anyone to become entitled to a broker's fee or commission as a result of the
transactions contemplated hereunder.

                  Section 4.9 NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. There has not occurred
any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material
adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,
business, operations or prospects of ADLT and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, from that set forth in the Exchange Act Filings.

                  Section 4.10 DISCLOSURE. None of the representations or
warranties of ADLT contained herein is false or misleading in any material
respect or omits to state a fact herein necessary to make the statements herein
not misleading in any material respect.

                  Section 4.11 LITIGATION. There is no Litigation pending, or to
the knowledge of ADLT, threatened to which ADLT or any of its subsidiaries is a
party or to which any of the properties of ADLT or any of its subsidiaries is
subject (i) affecting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any
Other Agreement or (ii) that are required to be described in the Exchange Act
Filings and are not so described or any statutes, regulations, contracts or
other documents that are required to be described in the Exchange Act Filings or
to be filed as exhibits to the Exchange Act Filings that are not described or
filed as required.

                  Section 4.12 REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Other than the Registration
Rights and Option Agreement dated December 15, 1995 among General Electric
Company, ADLT and Wayne R. Hellman, there are no contracts, agreements or
understandings between ADLT and any person granting such person the right to
require ADLT to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with
respect to any securities of ADLT.


                                    ARTICLE 5
                COVENANTS OF THE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND DSI

                  Section 5.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CLOSING. During the
period commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on the earlier to
occur of (i) the Closing or (ii) the termination of this Agreement (the "Interim
Period"), and unless ADLT shall otherwise consent or agree in writing and
without limiting any other provision herein, DSI shall, and the Principal
Shareholders shall cause DSI to, conduct its affairs as follows:

          
                                       22

<PAGE>   30




                  (a) ORDINARY COURSE; COMPLIANCE. The Business shall be
conducted in the ordinary course and substantially consistent with past
practice. DSI shall use reasonable best efforts to maintain its property,
equipment and other assets consistent with past practice and shall comply timely
in all material respects with the provisions of all its leases, agreements,
contracts and commitments in connection with the Business or its assets.

                  (b) PRESERVATION OF BUSINESS. During the Interim Period, DSI
shall use reasonable efforts to preserve its business organization intact, keep
available the services of its employees and preserve the goodwill of its
suppliers, customers and others having business relations with it.

                  (c) PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS. During the Interim Period without
the prior consent of ADLT, which consent, with respect to ii, iii, viii, ix or
xi, shall not be unreasonably withheld, DSI shall not, nor shall the
Shareholders cause or permit DSI or any Subsidiary to:

                  i.       Amend its charter documents or bylaws;

                  ii.      Enter into any contract or commitment which is made
                           other than in the ordinary course of business,
                           consistent with past practice;

                  iii.     Enter into any employment or consulting contract or
                           similar arrangement that is not terminable at will or
                           upon thirty (30) days (or less) notice by DSI,
                           without penalty or obligation continuing after the
                           Closing Date;

                  iv.      Fail to pay all Taxes when due (as any such due date
                           may be extended) or fail to pay when due any other
                           Liability or charge inconsistent with past practice,
                           except any Tax, Liability or charge which DSI may be
                           contesting in good faith and under circumstances that
                           will not result in any Encumbrance on any asset of
                           DSI;

                  v.       Make, change or revoke any Tax election or make any
                           agreement or settlement with any taxing authority
                           that relates to the period after Closing;

                  vi.      Create any Encumbrance, other than Permitted
                           Encumbrances, on any assets, tangible or intangible;

                  vii.     Declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
                           distribution (whether in cash, stock, property or any
                           combination thereof), in respect of DSI Common Stock,
                           or directly or indirectly issue, sell, redeem,
                           purchase or otherwise acquire or dispose of, or
                           create any Securities Rights with respect to, DSI
                           Common Stock or any rights to purchase DSI Common
                           Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable
                           DSI Common Stock;


          
                                       23

<PAGE>   31



                  viii.    Increase, except in the ordinary course of business
                           consistent with past practice, any of the salaries or
                           other compensation payable or to become payable to,
                           or make any advance or loan to, any employee, or make
                           any increase in, or any addition to, other benefits
                           (including any DSI Benefit Plan) to which any
                           employee may be entitled, or make any payments to or
                           in respect of any DSI Benefit Plan or any change in
                           any DSI Benefit Plan, unless requested to do so by
                           the IRS or other regulatory authority in connection
                           with any application or filing therewith or review
                           thereby with respect to any DSI Benefit Plan;

                  ix.      Make or authorize any single capital expenditure or
                           series of related capital expenditures in excess of
                           $100,000 other than expenditures with respect to the
                           New Line or acquire (by merger, consolidation or
                           acquisition of stock or assets) any corporation,
                           partnership or other business organization or
                           division thereof, or make any investment either by
                           purchase of stock or securities, contribute capital,
                           make any loan or advance of funds to any Person or,
                           except in the ordinary course of business, purchase
                           any property or assets;

                  x.       Sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any assets
                           (other than inventory), except sales of assets in the
                           ordinary course of business not in excess of $25,000
                           in any individual instance or $100,000 in the
                           aggregate; sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
                           assets for less than fair market value; or purchase
                           any assets for greater than fair market value; or

                  xi.      Make any payment, loan or advance of any amount to or
                           in respect of, or any sale, transfer or lease of any
                           properties or assets (whether real, personal or
                           mixed, tangible or intangible) to, or consummate any
                           transaction or create any agreement or arrangement
                           with, any Related Party, except for (A) compensation
                           to the officers and employees at rates not exceeding
                           the rates of compensation existing on the date hereof
                           except in the ordinary course consistent with past
                           practice, or (B) otherwise as contemplated by this
                           Agreement.

                  Section 5.2 ACCESS, INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS. During the
Interim Period, the Shareholders and DSI shall give to ADLT and to its employees
and representatives (including independent public accountants, attorneys,
environmental consultants and engineers) access during normal business hours and
upon reasonable notice to all of the properties (including Real Property for
purposes of an environmental assessment), books, Tax returns, contracts,
commitments, records, officers, personnel and accountants (including independent
public accountants) of DSI and shall furnish to ADLT all such documents and
copies of documents and all information with respect to the affairs of DSI as
ADLT may reasonably request; provided that ADLT shall conduct such due diligence
in such manner as to minimize the disruption of the Business and operations of
DSI; and

          
                                       24

<PAGE>   32



provided further that, with respect to any environmental assessment, copies of
any such assessment shall be provided to DSI and no on-site testing shall be
performed without the consent of DSI, which consent may not be unreasonably
withheld.

                  Section 5.3 PRESERVE ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES. The Principal Shareholders shall use their reasonable efforts to
ensure that DSI conducts, and DSI shall use its reasonable best efforts to
conduct, the Business in such a manner that, at the Closing, the representations
and warranties of the Principal Shareholders and DSI contained in this Agreement
shall be true and correct in all material respects as though such
representations and warranties were made on, as of, and with reference to such
date. The Principal Shareholders and DSI shall each promptly notify ADLT of any
lawsuit, claim, proceeding or investigation of which they obtain knowledge that
may be threatened, brought, asserted or commenced after the date hereof against
DSI that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Article 2 or 3 of this
Agreement. The Principal Shareholders and DSI shall each notify ADLT of any
facts or circumstances as to which it obtains knowledge that cause any
representation and warranty contained in Article 2 or 3 of this Agreement or
relating to any matters required to be set forth in the related Schedules hereto
to be untrue.

                  Section 5.4 FILINGS AND AUTHORIZATIONS. (a) As promptly as
practicable, each of DSI and the Shareholders shall make, or cause to be made,
such filings and submissions under law, rules and regulations applicable to it,
including the HSR Act, as may be required for it to consummate the purchase and
transfer of the DSI Shares hereunder, and shall use its best efforts to obtain,
or cause to be obtained, all authorizations, approvals, consents and waivers
from all Governmental Bodies necessary to be obtained by it.

                  (b) As promptly as practicable, DSI shall use its best efforts
to obtain the approval of Shareholders of this Agreement and the Merger
Agreement as required by California Law; provided that best efforts does not
include the obligation to provide any financial incentive to any Shareholder.

                  Section 5.5 NOTICE OF CHANGES. During the Interim Period, the
Shareholders and DSI shall give ADLT prompt written notice of any material
change or inaccuracies in any data previously given or made available to ADLT
pursuant to this Agreement.

                  Section 5.6 RESALE OF ADLT SHARES. No Shareholder (and no
permitted transferee of the ADLT Shares of any Shareholder) shall transfer any
ADLT Shares prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Restricted
Period"), other than in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement,
without the prior written consent of ADLT, which consent is and shall be in the
sole and absolute discretion of ADLT; provided, however, that any Shareholder
may make a charitable donation of some or all of such Shareholder's shares or a
transfer, other than a transfer for value, to such Shareholder's spouse,
children or parents, or a trust for the benefit of any such person or persons;
provided, in either such case, that such transferee is bound by the transfer
restrictions set forth in this Section 5.6. After expiration of the Restricted
Period, any Shareholder

          
                                       25

<PAGE>   33



(and any permitted transferee) may transfer his or her ADLT shares only in
accordance with applicable securities laws.

                  Section 5.7 NO NEGOTIATIONS. Until the termination of this
Agreement, neither DSI nor any Principal Shareholder shall, nor shall any of
them give authorization or permission to any other person to institute, continue
or otherwise entertain or maintain negotiations or discussions with any person,
other than ADLT, with respect to the sale of any of the capital stock, business
or assets of DSI other than the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of
business.

                  Section 5.8 SCHEDULES. Prior to January 16, 1998, DSI may
provide any Schedule hereto, and (except as set forth in Section 8.1(iv)) such
schedules shall have the effect of amending the representations and warranties
of DSI and the Principal Shareholders in this Agreement with the same effect as
if the schedules or information were attached hereto on the date hereof.

                  Section 5.9 EXERCISE OF DSI OPTIONS. DSI shall cause the
outstanding options for DSI common stock to be exercised effective as of the
Closing Date.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                                COVENANTS OF ADLT

                  Section 6.1 PRESERVE ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES. ADLT shall use its reasonable efforts to conduct its business in
such a manner that, at the Closing, the representations and warranties of ADLT
contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects
as though such representations and warranties were made on, as of, and with
reference to such date. ADLT shall promptly notify the Shareholders of any
lawsuit, claim, proceeding or investigation that may be threatened, brought,
asserted or commenced after the date hereof against ADLT or any subsidiary of
ADLT. ADLT shall notify the Shareholders of any facts or circumstances as to
which it obtains knowledge that cause any representation and warranty contained
in Article 4 of this Agreement or relating to any matters required to be set
forth in the related Schedules hereto to be untrue.

                  Section 6.2 FILINGS AND AUTHORIZATIONS. As promptly as
practicable, ADLT shall make, or cause to be made, such filings and submissions
under law, rules and regulations applicable to it, including the HSR Act, as may
be required for it to consummate the purchase and transfer of the DSI Shares
hereunder, and shall use its best efforts to obtain, or cause to be obtained,
all authorizations, approvals, consents and waivers from all Governmental Bodies
necessary to be obtained by it.

                  Section 6.3 NOTICE OF CHANGES. During the Interim Period, ADLT
shall deliver to the Shareholders copies of any material public disclosures made
by ADLT.

                  Section 6.4 STOCK LEGENDS. After expiration of the Restricted
Period, ADLT shall instruct its transfer agent to reissue to any Shareholder (or
its permitted transferee), upon surrender of the certificates for their ADLT
Shares, a certificate or certificates representing such Shareholder's

          
                                       26

<PAGE>   34



(or transferee's) ADLT Shares without the restrictive legend set forth on such
certificate referring to the transfer restrictions set forth in Section 5.6 of
this Agreement.

                  Section 6.5 STOCK OPTION PLAN. Within 30 days following the
Closing Date, ADLT will amend its 1998 Incentive Award Plan to provide for the
grant of awards of options for the purchase of at least 200,000 additional
shares of ADLT Common Stock. To the extent required to permit options under such
plan to be incentive stock options under the Code, ADLT will include approval of
such stock option plan in its proxy statement for its 1998 annual meeting of
shareholders. Within 30 days following the Closing Date, ADLT shall grant
options to purchase not less than 200,000 shares of ADLT common stock to
employees of DSI, as reasonably agreed between ADLT and the Principal
Shareholders.

                  Section 6.6 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. ADLT will maintain in force
each DSI Plan which is in force on the date hereof until the first anniversary
of the Closing Date, unless ADLT can provide improved benefit plans reasonably
acceptable to DSI management; provided, however, that the DSI Profit Sharing
Plan shall be amended to eliminate any preferential contributions and shall
remain in effect to include contributions for the fiscal years ending June 30,
1998 and June 30, 1999.

                  Section 6.7 POST-CLOSING INDEMNIFICATION OF CERTAIN PERSONS.

                  (a) From and after the Closing, ADLT shall, and shall cause
DSI to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the present and former officers,
directors, employees, agents and representatives of DSI (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties") against all losses, expenses, claims, damages or
liabilities arising out of actions or omissions occurring at or prior to the
Closing (including, without limitation, the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement) to the fullest extent permitted or required under the California
General Corporation Law (the "California Law") or other applicable state law
(and shall also advance reasonable expenses as incurred to the fullest extent
permitted under the California Law or other applicable state law, provided that
the persons to whom expenses are advanced provide an undertaking to repay such
advances contemplated by the California Law). ADLT agrees that all rights to
indemnification, including provisions relating to advances of expenses incurred
in defense of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (a "Claim")
existing in favor of the Indemnified Parties as provided in DSI's Articles of
Incorporation or By-Laws or other agreement or provisions, as in effect as of
the date hereof, with respect to matters occurring through the Closing, shall
survive the Closing and shall continue in full force and effect.

                  (b) Without limiting the foregoing, in the event any Claim is
brought against any Indemnified Party (whether arising before or after the
Closing) after the Closing (i) the Indemnified Parties may retain counsel
satisfactory to them (subject to approval by ADLT and DSI, which approval will
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (ii) ADLT and DSI shall pay all
reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Parties
promptly as statements therefor are received subject to the ability of ADLT and
DSI to receive such information relative to the legal services provided as is
customarily provided and reasonably requested by ADLT and DSI, and (iii) ADLT
and DSI will use all reasonable efforts to assist in the vigorous defense of any
such

          
                                       27

<PAGE>   35



matter, provided that neither ADLT nor DSI shall be liable for any settlement of
any Claim effected without its written consent, which consent, however, shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim
indemnification under this Section 6.7, upon learning of any such Claim, shall
notify ADLT (but the failure so to notify ADLT shall not relieve it from any
liability which it may have under this Section 6.7 except to the extent such
failure materially prejudices ADLT). The Indemnified Parties as a group may
retain only one law firm to represent them with respect to each such matter
unless there is, as evidenced by the written opinion of counsel reasonably
acceptable to ADLT and DSI, under applicable standards of professional conduct,
a conflict on any significant issue between the positions of any two or more
Indemnified Parties.

                  (c) This section 6.7 is intended to benefit the Indemnified
Parties and shall be binding on all successors and assigns of ADLT and DSI.

                  Section 6.8 DSI SECURITY CLEARANCES. Following the Closing,
ADLT shall take reasonable actions to preserve DSI's facility security
clearances, including, without limitation, assuring that the composition of the
DSI board of directors complies with any applicable security clearance
requirements and adopting resolutions of the ADLT board of directors relating to
custody and disclosure of classified information.

                  Section 6.9 ACQUISITION. For a period of two (2) years 
following the Closing:

                  (a) ADLT shall not permit Acquisition to issue additional
shares of stock that would result in ADLT losing control of Acquisition within
the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code;

                  (b) ADLT shall not liquidate Acquisition or merge Acquisition
with another company (other than DSI) or sell or otherwise dispose of the stock
of Acquisition if such liquidation, merger or disposition would cause the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to fail to satisfy continuity of
proprietary interest as required by the regulations under Section 368 of the
Code and the case law related thereto; and

                  (c) ADLT shall not permit Acquisition to sell or otherwise
dispose of any of its assets or of any of the assets acquired from DSI, directly
or indirectly, except for (i) dispositions made in the ordinary course of
business, (ii) transfers of assets to a corporation all of whose outstanding
stock is owned directly by Acquisition, (iii) transfers of assets by direct or
indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Acquisition to other direct or indirect
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Acquisition or (iv) such other dispositions which
will not cause the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to fail to
satisfy continuity of business enterprise as required by the regulations under
Section 368 of the Code and the case law related thereto.





          
                                       28

<PAGE>   36



                                    ARTICLE 7
                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

                  Section 7.1 MUTUAL CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. The obligations of
ADLT, Acquisition and DSI to proceed with the Closing under this Agreement are
subject to the fulfillment prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

                  (a) LITIGATION. No order of any Governmental Body shall be in
effect which enjoins, restrains or prohibits the transactions contemplated
hereby or that would limit or adversely affect ADLT's ownership of the DSI
Shares or the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and there shall not
have been threatened, nor shall there be pending, any action or proceeding by or
before any Governmental Body challenging any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or the Other Agreements or seeking monetary relief by reason of
the consummation of such transactions.

                  (b) FILINGS. The filing and waiting period requirements of any
applicable federal or state law or Governmental Body relating to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Other
Agreements shall have been complied with.

                  Section 7.2 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ADLT. The
obligation of ADLT to proceed with the Closing under this Agreement is subject
to the fulfillment prior to or at Closing of the following conditions (any one
or more of which may be waived in whole or in part by ADLT at ADLT's option):

                  (a) ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each of the
representations and warranties of the Principal Shareholders and DSI contained
in Article 2 of this Agreement, and each of the representations and warranties
of the Principal Shareholders contained in Article 3 of this Agreement, shall be
true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date, with
the same force and effect as though such representations and warranties had been
made on, as of and with reference to such date.

                  (b) PERFORMANCE AND COMPLIANCE. The Principal Shareholders and
DSI shall each have performed in all material respects all of the covenants and
complied in all material respects with all of the provisions required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or before the Closing.

                  (c) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Between the date of the
Balance Sheet and the Closing Date, except as may be disclosed in this Agreement
and the Schedules hereto, there shall have been no material adverse change in
the financial condition, assets, Liabilities, net worth, Business or prospects
of DSI, and no event or condition shall have occurred or exist that might be
expected to cause such a change in the future.


          
                                       29

<PAGE>   37



                  (d) APPROVAL BY ADLT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Board of
Directors of ADLT shall have approved this Agreement, the Other Agreements and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

                  (e) APPROVAL BY DSI SHAREHOLDERS. The shareholders of DSI
shall have approved this Agreement and the Merger in the manner required by the
California General Corporation Law.

                  (f) CLOSING DOCUMENTS. Receipt of the deliveries referred to 
in Section 1.10(a) and (b).

                  (g) CONSENTS. Receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to
ADLT that the consents set forth in Schedule 2.6 have been obtained.

                  (h) MERGER CERTIFICATES. Receipt of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to ADLT that the certificates required to be filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Ohio and the Secretary of State of the State
of California to effect the Merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall
have been delivered and accepted for filing.

                  (i) APPRAISAL RIGHTS. Appraisal rights as a result of the
merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall be available with respect to
no more than 110,000 shares.

                  (j) PRIVATE PLACEMENT. ADLT and its counsel shall be satisfied
that the issuance of the ADLT shares pursuant to the Merger Agreement will not
require the registration under the Securities Act or any state securities act.

                  (k) MERGER AGREEMENT. DSI shall have executed and delivered
the Merger Agreement.

                  Section 7.3 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF DSI.
The obligation of DSI to proceed with the Closing hereunder is subject to the
fulfillment prior to or at Closing of the following conditions (any one or more
of which may be waived in whole or in part by DSI at DSI's option):

                  (a) ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Receipt of
evidence reasonably satisfactory to DSI that each of the representations and
warranties of ADLT contained in Article 4 of this Agreement shall be true and
correct in all material respects on, as of, and with reference to the Closing
Date, with the same force and effect as though such representations and
warranties had been made on, as of and with reference to such date, except with
respect to Section 4.3 concerning the number of outstanding and reserved shares
of stock, which number is likely to fluctuate prior to Closing.

                  (b) PERFORMANCE AND COMPLIANCE. Receipt of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to DSI that ADLT and Acquisition shall each have performed in all
material respects all of the covenants and complied in all material respects
with all of the provisions required by this Agreement

          
                                       30

<PAGE>   38



to be performed or complied with by it on or before the Closing and that ADLT
and Acquisition shall each have performed in all material respects all of the
covenants and complied in all material respects with all of the provisions
required by the Other Agreements to which it is a party to be performed or
complied with by it on or before Closing.

                  (c) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Receipt of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to DSI that, between September 30, 1997 and the Closing Date, there
shall have been no material adverse change in the financial condition, assets,
liabilities, net worth, business or prospects of ADLT and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole, and no event or condition shall have occurred or exist that might be
expected to cause such a change in the future.

                  (d) CLOSING DOCUMENTS. The Shareholders shall have received
the deliveries referred to in Section 1.10(c).

                  (e) TAX DEFERRED TRANSACTION. The Principal Shareholders and
their counsel shall be satisfied that the receipt of the ADLT Shares will not
trigger payment of income tax on all or a portion of the value of the ADLT
Shares.

                  (f) MERGER AGREEMENT. Acquisition shall have executed and
delivered the Merger Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE 8
                                   TERMINATION

                  Section 8.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at
any time prior to Closing by: (i) mutual consent of ADLT, Shareholders holding a
majority of the DSI Shares and DSI; (ii) ADLT, if any of the conditions
specified in Sections 7.1 or 7.2 hereof shall not have been fulfilled by March
31, 1998 and shall not have been waived by ADLT, (iii) ADLT if DSI does not
consent to environmental testing which ADLT requested pursuant to Section 5.2,
(iv) ADLT, at any time prior to the earlier of (I) the fifth business day
following the last delivery of any schedule pursuant to Section 5.8 or (II) the
Closing Date, if the substance of any such schedule is not satisfactory to ADLT;
or (v) DSI, if any of the conditions specified in Sections 7.1 or 7.3 hereof
shall not have been fulfilled by March 31, 1998 and shall not have been waived
by DSI. Nothing in this Section 8.1 shall be construed as excusing the breach of
any obligation under this Agreement or as limiting the remedies which may be
available to any non-breaching party in respect of such breach. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event that this Agreement is terminated by one party
hereto pursuant to clause (ii) or (v) of the first sentence of this Section
solely as a result of a breach by another party hereto of a representation or
warranty of such other party as of a date after the date of this Agreement,
which breach could not have been reasonably anticipated by such other party and
was beyond the reasonable control of such other party, then neither party shall
have any liability to the other hereunder. Any dispute arising under this
Section 8.1 shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association in the City of San Francisco, California using
three arbitrators, one being chosen by Shareholders holding a majority of the
DSI Shares, one being chosen by ADLT and the third being chosen by the other two
arbitrators. In the

          
                                       31

<PAGE>   39



event of any termination, other than (A) a termination pursuant to (iii) above
or (B) a termination by reason of the breach of any representation by warranty
by DSI or any Shareholder, or the failure by DSI or any Shareholder to perform
any obligation pursuant to this Agreement or any Other Agreement, ADLT shall
promptly pay DSI $600,000, less any expenses paid by ADLT on behalf of DSI
pursuant to Section 10.12 hereof.

                                    ARTICLE 9
                  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION

                  Section 9.1 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS. All representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements made by any party in this Agreement or
pursuant hereto shall survive the Closing, but no claim may be made with respect
to any breach of any representation or warranty hereunder after June 30, 1999;
provided, however, that claims for breach of the representations and warranties
contained in Sections 2.10, 2.18 and 2.25 and claims for breach of any
representations and warranties relating to title may be made at any time during
the period of the applicable statute of limitations relating to the subject
matter thereof plus 90 days. If, prior to Closing, any party learns of any fact
or circumstance that would cause a representation or warranty of the other party
or parties to be untrue, incorrect or breached and proceeds with the Closing,
such discovering party shall be deemed to have waived any claim for
indemnification against the other party or parties with respect to such fact or
condition.

                  Section 9.2 INDEMNIFICATION BY THE SHAREHOLDERS. Subject to
Section 9.6 below, the Principal Shareholders, severally but not jointly, shall
indemnify, defend, save and hold ADLT and Acquisition and their respective
officers, directors, employees, Affiliates and agents (including, after Closing,
DSI) (collectively, "ADLT Indemnitees") harmless from and against all demands,
claims, actions or causes of action, assessments, losses, damages, deficiencies,
Liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, interest,
penalties, and all reasonable amounts paid in investigation, defense or
settlement of any of the foregoing (collectively, "ADLT Damages") asserted
against, imposed upon, resulting to or incurred by any of the ADLT Indemnitees,
directly or indirectly, in connection with, or arising out of, or resulting from
(i) a breach of any of the representations and warranties made by the Principal
Shareholders or DSI in Article 2 of this Agreement, except as set forth above in
Section 9.1, (ii) a breach of any of the representations and warranties of the
Principal Shareholders in Article 3 except that, with respect to Article 3, each
Principal Shareholder will be severally responsible only for his own
representations and warranties or (iii) a breach of any of the covenants or
agreements made by the Principal Shareholders, or a breach of any of the
covenants or agreements of DSI, to be completed before the Closing, in or
pursuant to this Agreement and in any Other Agreement to which any Principal
Shareholder or DSI is a party; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (a) none of the ADLT
Indemnitees shall have any claim for indemnification pursuant to subsection (i)
of this Section (except representations and warranties contained in Section
2.10, 2.18, 2.23, 2.25, and relating to title) and related expenses unless and
until the aggregate amount of all such claims exceeds $500,000, from and after
which time the Principal Shareholders shall be responsible for claims only to
the extent of such excess and (b) in no event shall the Principal Shareholders'
liability for ADLT Damages exceed, in the aggregate, $2,000,000. Any claim for
such liability of any Principal Shareholder may be satisfied

          
                                       32

<PAGE>   40



by the delivery to ADLT of that number of ADLT Shares determined by dividing the
amount of the liability by the greater of (A) $24 or (B) the closing price of
the ADLT Shares on NASDAQ on the last trading date prior to such delivery. The
Liability of each Principal Shareholder with respect to any claim for indemnity
shall be equal to the Principal Shareholder's Pro Rata Share, provided, however,
that each Principal Shareholder shall be entirely responsible for any violation
of his own representations contained in Article 3. As used herein, Pro Rata
Share means, with respect to any Principal Shareholder, the number of DSI Shares
held by such Principal Shareholder, as set forth on Schedule 1.10A, divided by
805,000.

                  Section 9.3 INDEMNIFICATION BY ADLT. Subject to Section 9.6
below, ADLT shall indemnify, defend, save and hold the Shareholders harmless
from and against any and all demands, claims, actions or causes of action,
assessments, losses, damages, deficiencies, Liabilities, costs and expenses,
including reasonable attorneys' fees, interest, penalties, and all reasonable
amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of any of the foregoing
(collectively, "Shareholder Damages") asserted against, imposed upon, resulting
to or incurred by any of the Shareholders, directly or indirectly, in connection
with, or arising out of, or resulting from (i) a breach of any of the
representations and warranties made by ADLT in this Agreement, except as set
forth above in Section 9.1, or (ii) a breach of any of the covenants or
agreements made by ADLT in or pursuant to this Agreement and in any Other
Agreement to which ADLT or Acquisition is a party; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
Shareholders shall have no claim for indemnification pursuant to subsection (i)
of this Section (except representations and warranties contained in Section 4.8)
and related expenses unless and until the aggregate amount of all such claims
against ADLT exceeds $500,000, from and after which time ADLT shall be
responsible for claims only to the extent of such excess.

                  Section 9.4 NOTICE OF CLAIMS. If any ADLT Indemnitees or
Shareholder (an "Indemnified Party") believes that it has suffered or incurred
or will suffer or incur any ADLT Damages or Shareholder Damages ("Damages") for
which it is entitled to indemnification under this Article 9, or if any legal,
governmental or administrative proceeding which may result in such damages is
threatened or asserted (including any written notice from any taxing authority),
such Indemnified Party shall so notify the party or parties from whom
indemnification is being claimed (the "Indemnifying Party") with reasonable
promptness and reasonable particularity in light of the circumstances then
existing. If any action at law or suit in equity is instituted by or against a
third party with respect to which any Indemnified Party intends to claim any
Damages, such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party of
such action or suit. The failure of an Indemnified Party to give any notice
required by this Section 9.4 shall not affect any of such party's rights under
this Article 9 except to the extent such failure is actually prejudicial to the
rights or obligations of the Indemnifying Party.

                  Section 9.5 THIRD PARTY CLAIMS. In case any legal, 
governmental or administrative proceeding which may result in such Damages is
instituted, threatened or asserted (including any

          
                                       33

<PAGE>   41



written notice from any taxing authority) by or against a third party with
respect to which an Indemnified Party intends to claim any Damages and the
Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party of such proceeding as provided
in Section 9.4, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate therein
and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other Indemnifying Party
similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and after notice from the Indemnifying
Party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense
thereof, the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to such Indemnified Party
under this Article 9 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the
prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any
pending or threatened action in respect of which any Indemnified Party is or
could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
Indemnified Party unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such Indemnified Party from all Liability on any claims that are the subject
matter of such proceeding.

                  Section 9.6 LIMITATION ON DAMAGES; INSURANCE; ETC. In
determining Damages hereunder, (i) each Indemnified Party shall be required to
pursue all valid claims against any insurance carrier providing coverage with
respect to the matter giving rise to such Damages, and Damages shall be computed
net of any insurance proceeds received by the Indemnified Party with respect
thereto under policies (which are not retrospectively rated or issued by
Affiliates of the Indemnified Party) which reduces the Damages which would
otherwise be sustained, (ii) if such Damages arise out of matters concerning any
customers of DSI, DSI shall use its best efforts to pursue its rights and
remedies against such customers (without litigation or arbitration), (iii) if
such Damages arise out of matters involving Persons other than customers of DSI
and DSI has indemnification rights against such Persons, then DSI shall permit
the Shareholders, at the Shareholders' expense, to pursue any and all remedies
against such Persons and the Shareholders shall be entitled to the proceeds
thereof to the extent that the Shareholders have provided indemnity in respect
of such Damages; provided, however, that no such requirement shall delay the
Shareholders' obligations to indemnify ADLT or DSI hereunder (except that the
indemnification obligation hereunder shall be delayed if and to the extent that
the applicable insurance company under clause (i) above assumes the defense or
acknowledges liability) and (iv) damages shall not include any amount for
special or consequential damages for the party seeking indemnification.

                  Section 9.7 GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO SETTLE DISPUTES. The parties
agree that, prior to commencing any litigation against the other concerning any
matter with respect to which such party intends to claim a right of
indemnification in such proceeding, Lee Bartolomei and the chief executive
officer of ADLT shall meet in a timely manner and attempt in good faith to
negotiate a settlement of such dispute during which time such individuals shall
disclose to the other Principal Shareholders all relevant information relating
to such dispute.

                  Section 9.8 SOLE REMEDY. The right to indemnification provided
for in this Article 9 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of any party hereto
in connection with any breach by any other party of the representations or
warranties in this Agreement.


          
                                       34

<PAGE>   42



                                   ARTICLE 10
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  Section 10.1 CONSTRUCTION. As used herein, unless the context
otherwise requires: (i) the terms defined herein shall have the meaning set
forth herein for all purposes; (ii) references to "Article" or "Section" are to
an article or section hereof; (iii) all "Exhibits" and "Schedules" referred to
herein are to Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto and are incorporated herein
by reference and made a part hereof; (iv) "include," "includes" and "including"
are deemed to be followed by "without limitation" whether or not they are in
fact followed by such words or words of like import; (v) "writing," "written"
and comparable terms refer to printing, typing, lithography and other means of
reproducing words in a visible form; (vi) "hereof," "herein," "hereunder" and
comparable terms refer to the entirety of this Agreement and not to any
particular article, section or other subdivision hereof or attachment hereto;
(vii) references to any gender include references to all genders, and references
to the singular include references to the plural and vice versa; (viii)
references to an agreement or other instrument or law, statute or regulation are
referred to as amended and supplemented from time to time (and, in the case of a
statute or regulation, to any successor provision) and all regulations, rulings
and interpretations promulgated pursuant thereto; (ix) the preliminary
statements made on page 1 hereof are incorporated herein and made a part hereof;
(x) the headings of the various articles, sections and other subdivisions hereof
are for convenience of reference only and shall not modify, define or limit any
of the terms or provisions hereof; (xi) the deadline for all deliveries and
notices hereunder shall be determined by reference to the local time of the
place such delivery or notice is properly made; and (l) all currency references
herein are to U.S. dollars.

                  Section 10.2 NOTICES. All notices, and other communications
given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been duly given or made (i) the second day after mailing, if sent by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, (ii) upon delivery, if
sent by hand delivery, (iii) when received, if sent by prepaid overnight
carrier, with a record of receipt, or (iv) the first day after dispatch, if sent
by cable, telegram, facsimile or telecopy (with a copy simultaneously sent by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested), to the parties at the
following addresses (or at such other addresses as shall be specified by the
parties by like notice):

                  (a)       if to ADLT, to:

                           Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc.
                           2307 East Aurora Road Suite 1
                           Twinsburg, Ohio 44087


          
                                       35

<PAGE>   43



            with a copy to:

            Cowden, Humphrey & Sarlson Co., L.P.A.
            1414 Terminal Tower
            50 Public Square
            Cleveland, Ohio 44113

   (b)      if to the Principal Shareholders, to:

            Lee Bartolomei
            Frances and John Aguilera, Jr. 1992 Trust, John Aguilera, Trustee
            Michael Robbins
            James Brosnan
            Norman Boling
            At the addresses set forth on Schedule 1.10A with a copy to:

            Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal
            685 Market Street
            San Francisco, CA 94105
            Attention: Robin M. Edwards, Esq.

   (c)      If to DSI, to:

            Deposition Sciences, Inc.
            386 Tesconi Court
            Santa Rosa, CA 95401
            Attention: Mr. Lee Bartolomei

            with a copy to:

            Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal
            685 Market Street
            San Francisco, CA 94105
            Attention: Robin M. Edwards, Esq.

       Section 10.3 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement and all the rights 
and powers granted hereby shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

       Section 10.4 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and 
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio without regard to its
conflict of law doctrines.

       Section 10.5 NO ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement and the rights, interests and
obligations hereunder may not be assigned by any party hereto without the prior
written consent of

          
                                       36

<PAGE>   44



the other parties hereto, except that ADLT may assign its rights hereunder to
any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ADLT, so long as ADLT remains
fully liable hereunder.

                  Section 10.6 APPROVALS AND ACTIONS BY THE SHAREHOLDERS.
Whenever any approval or action by the Shareholders is required or permitted
pursuant to this Agreement, or any Other Agreement, including any consent,
waiver or amendment, such approval or action shall be sufficient if it is made
by Shareholders holding (or who held prior to the Closing) a majority of the DSI
Shares, and such approval or action shall be binding on all Shareholders.

                  Section 10.7 AMENDMENT AND WAIVER; CUMULATIVE EFFECT. The
parties may by mutual agreement amend this Agreement in any respect, and any
party, as to such party, may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of
the obligations of any other party or waive any inaccuracies in representations
by any other party, (ii) waive compliance by any other party with any of the
agreements contained herein and performance of any obligations by such other
party, and (iii) waive the fulfillment of any condition that is precedent to the
performance by such party of any of its obligations under this Agreement. To be
effective, any such amendment or waiver must be in writing and be signed by the
party against whom enforcement of the same is sought. Neither the failure of any
party hereto to exercise any right, power or remedy provided under this
Agreement where otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity, or to
insist upon compliance by any other party with its obligations hereunder, nor
any custom or practice of the parties at variance with the terms hereof, shall
constitute a waiver by such party of its right to exercise any such right, power
or remedy or to demand such compliance. The rights and remedies of the parties
hereto are cumulative and not exclusive of the rights and remedies that they
otherwise might have now or hereafter, at law, in equity, by statute or
otherwise.

                  Section 10.8 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the
Schedules and Exhibits set forth all of the promises, covenants, agreements,
conditions and undertakings between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements
and understandings, inducements or conditions, express or implied, oral or
written, other than the Confidentiality Agreement dated December 5, 1997 between
DSI and ADLT.

                  Section 10.9 SEVERABILITY. If any term or other provision of
this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of
law, or public policy, all other terms, conditions and provisions of this
Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the
economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not
affected in any manner adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any
term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the
parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to
effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an
acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled
to the extent possible.

                  Section 10.10 NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is
not intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights
or remedies hereunder, except the provisions of Section 9.2 relating to ADLT
Indemnitees, which are intended to benefit such indemnitees.

          
                                       37

<PAGE>   45




                  Section 10.11 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but
all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

                  Section 10.12 EXPENSES. ADLT shall be responsible for all of
its costs and expenses in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby. DSI shall be responsible for all of the costs and expenses
of DSI and the Shareholders in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, ADLT may, in its sole
discretion, advance any such amounts on behalf of DSI and any termination
payment required pursuant to Section 8.1 shall be reduced by the aggregate
amount of such advances.

                  Section 10.13 ARBITRATION. Except as provided in Section 8.1,
any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be resolved by arbitration in
accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association in the City of
Cleveland, Ohio using three arbitrators, one being chosen by Shareholders
holding a majority of the DSI Shares, one being chosen by ADLT and the third
being chosen by the other two arbitrators (collectively, the "Arbitrators"). The
decision by the Arbitrators of any dispute shall be binding on the parties for
all purposes. In addition to any other contractual remedy granted in any such
arbitration, the Arbitrators shall grant the prevailing party its reasonable
costs and legal fees incurred in connection with the arbitration proceeding.


          
                                       38

<PAGE>   46




                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                           ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                           By: /s/
                              ---------------------------------------------
                               Wayne R. Hellman, CEO

                           ADVANCED ACQUISITIONS, INC.

                           By: /s/
                              ---------------------------------------------
                               Wayne R. Hellman, President


                           DEPOSITION SCIENCES, INC.

                           By: /s/
                              ---------------------------------------------
                               Lee Bartolomei, CEO


                               /s/
                               Lee Bartolomei, Shareholder


                            FRANCES AND JOHN AGUILERA, JR.
                             1992 TRUST, Shareholder

                           By: /s/
                              ---------------------------------------------
                               John Aguilera, Trustee


                               /s/
                           ------------------------------------------------
                               Michael Robbins, Shareholder


                               /s/
                           ------------------------------------------------
                               James Brosnan, Shareholder


                               /s/
                           ------------------------------------------------
                               Norman Boling, Shareholder



          
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<PAGE>   47

                                    CONSENTS

         I, the undersigned, being the spouse of a Principal Shareholder, have
read and clearly understand the foregoing Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
("Agreement") which has been executed by my spouse. I recognize that under the
terms of said Agreement, for a period of one year following the merger, the
shares of Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc. common stock, including any
interest therein which may be owned by or with me as surviving spouse as
community property, are subject to transfer restrictions in accordance with the
provisions of said Agreement and that my spouse has certain indemnity
obligations.

         Being fully convinced of the reasonableness of the Agreement, I hereby
approve and consent to said Agreement and hereby agree to be bound by its
provisions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                     <C>
Dated:     January 9, 1998                    /s/
      ---------------------------       -----------------------------------------------
                                              Spouse of Lee Bartolomei, Shareholder


Dated:     January 9, 1998                    /s/
      ---------------------------       -----------------------------------------------
                                              Spouse of Michael Robbins, Shareholder


Dated:     January 9, 1998                    /s/
      ---------------------------       -----------------------------------------------
                                              Spouse of James Brosnan, Shareholder


Dated:     January 9, 1998                    /s/
      ---------------------------       -----------------------------------------------
                                              Spouse of Norman Boling, Shareholder
</TABLE>


         The undersigned, being the grantors and/or primary beneficiaries of a
Principal Shareholder, have read and clearly understand the foregoing Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization ("Agreement") which has been executed by the Frances
and John Aguilera, Jr. 1992 Trust. I recognize that under the terms of said
Agreement, for a period of one year following the merger, the shares of Advanced
Lighting Technologies, Inc. common stock, including any interest therein which
may be owned by or with me as a grantor and/or primary beneficiary, are subject
to transfer restrictions in accordance with the provisions of said Agreement and
that the Trust has certain indemnity obligations.

         Being fully convinced of the reasonableness of the Agreement, I hereby
approve and consent to said Agreement and hereby agree to be bound by its
provisions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                           <C>
Dated:     January 9, 1998                    /s/
      ---------------------------       -----------------------------------------------
                                              John Aguilera

Dated:     January 9, 1998                    /s/
      ---------------------------       -----------------------------------------------
                                              Frances Aguilera
</TABLE>

          
                                       40