Edgar Filing: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES INC

Prospectus Supplement

Filed pursuant to

Rule 424(b)(2)

File Nos. 333-138943


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated January 22, 2007)

1,000,000 Shares

LOGO

Maxwell Technologies, Inc.

Common Stock

We are offering all of the 1,000,000 shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “MXWL.” On May 8, 2007, the last reported sales price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market was $11.30 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any shares, you should read the discussion of material risks of investing in our common stock referred to under the heading “ Risk factors” beginning on page S-3 of this prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


	Per share	Total
Public offering price	$10.40	$10,400,000
Underwriting discounts and commissions	$ 0.40	$ 400,000
Proceeds, before expenses, to us	$10.00	$10,000,000

The underwriter may also purchase up to an additional 150,000 shares of our common stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotments, if any, within 30 days of the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriter exercises this option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions will be $460,000 and our total proceeds, before expenses, will be $11,500,000.

The underwriter is offering the common stock as set forth under “Underwriting.” Delivery of the shares will be made on or about May 14, 2007.

UBS Investment Bank

The date of this prospectus supplement is May 8, 2007.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriter has not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. This prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy these shares of common stock in any circumstances under which the offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should not assume that the information we have included in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, respectively, or that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or of any shares of our common stock.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Prospectus supplement
Prospectus supplement summary		S-1
The offering		S-2
Risk factors		S-3
Use of proceeds		S-4
Capitalization		S-5
Market price of common stock		S-6
Dividend policy		S-7
Dilution		S-8
Underwriting		S-9
Where you can find more information		S-12
Incorporation of certain documents by reference		S-13
Legal matters		S-14
Experts		S-15


Prospectus
About this prospectus		1
The company		2
Risk factors		3
Special note regarding forward-looking statements		3
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		4
Dilution		4
How we intend to use the proceeds		5
Description of common stock		6
Description of warrants		8
Description of debt securities		11
Legal ownership of securities		17
Plan of distribution		21
Legal matters		23
Experts		23
Where you can find more information		23
Information incorporated by reference		24

A registration statement on Form S-3 (File nos. 333-138943) utilizing a shelf registration process relating to the securities described in this prospectus supplement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and was declared effective on January 22, 2007. Under this shelf registration process, of which this offering is a part, we may, from time to time, sell up to $125,000,000 of common stock.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering of our common stock and also adds, updates and changes information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering of our common stock. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs or varies from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document filed prior to the date of this prospectus supplement and incorporated by reference, the information in this prospectus supplement will control.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include product names, trade names, trademarks and service marks of us and other companies. All such product names, trade names, trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective holders.

S-i

Prospectus supplement summary

This summary highlights selected information appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include information about the shares we are offering as well as information regarding our business and detailed financial data. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in their entirety, including the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Unless the context requires otherwise, the words “Maxwell,” “we,” “company,” “us” and “our” refer to Maxwell Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

We develop, manufacture and market highly reliable, cost-effective energy storage and power delivery components and systems. Our products are designed and manufactured to provide failure-free, very low maintenance, performance over the life of the applications into which they are integrated. We focus on the following three discrete lines of high-reliability products:

Ultracapacitors: Ultracapacitors, are energy storage devices that possess a unique combination of high power density, extremely long operational life and the ability to charge and discharge very rapidly. Our BOOSTCAP^® ultracapacitor cells and multi-cell packs and modules provide highly reliable energy storage and power delivery solutions for applications in multiple industries, including transportation, energy, consumer and industrial electronics and telecommunications.

High-Voltage Capacitors: Our CONDIS^® high-voltage capacitors are extremely robust devices that are designed and manufactured to perform reliably for decades in all climates. These products include grading and coupling capacitors and capacitive voltage dividers that are used in electric utility infrastructure and other applications involving transport, distribution and measurement of high-voltage electrical energy.

Radiation-Mitigated Microelectronic Products: Our radiation-mitigated microelectronic products include high-performance, high-density power modules, memory modules and single board computers that incorporate our proprietary RADPAK^® packaging and shielding technology and novel architectures that enable them to withstand environmental radiation effects and perform reliably in space.

OUR CORPORATE INFORMATION

We were incorporated in Delaware in 1987. The address of our principal executive office is 9244 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, California 92133, and our telephone number at that address is (858) 503-3300. Our website address is www.Maxwell.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus.

S-1

The offering

Common stock we are offering

1,000,000 shares

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

18,394,586 shares

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering after expenses will be approximately $9.9 million, or approximately $11.4 million if the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full. We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes, including without limitation: the funding of capital expenditures made in the ordinary course of business, including facilities expansion; the acquisitions of businesses, products and technologies that complement or expand our business; and working capital needs. See “Use of proceeds.”

NASDAQ Global Market symbol

MXWL

The number of shares of our common stock outstanding after this offering is based on approximately 17,394,586 shares outstanding as of May 3, 2007 and excludes:

404,695 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price of, after giving effect to the offering, $18.53 per share;

2,148,815 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding at May 3, 2007 with a weighted average exercise price of $9.31 per share;

1,079,096 shares of common stock reserved for future stock option grants and restricted stock awards as of May 3, 2007 under our equity compensation plans; and

150,000 shares of our common stock that may be purchased by the underwriter to cover over-allotments, if any.

Unless we specifically state otherwise, the information in this prospectus supplement assumes that the underwriter does not exercise its option to purchase up to 150,000 shares of our common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.

S-2

Risk factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, you should carefully consider the risks described under the heading “Item 1A. Risk factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2007, as supplemented by the information set forth under the heading “Item 1A. Risk factors” in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2007, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2007, respectively, and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement before purchasing our common stock. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations and financial condition with likely suffer. As a result, the trading price of our common stock may decline, and you might lose part or all of your investment.

S-3

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the 1,000,000 shares of common stock we are offering will be approximately $9.9 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. If the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full, we estimate the net proceeds to us will be approximately $11.4 million.

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes, including without limitation: the funding of capital expenditures made in the ordinary course of business, including facilities expansion; the acquisitions of businesses, products and technologies that complement or expand our business; capital expenditures and working capital needs.

Although we have identified some of the potential uses of the proceeds from this offering, we have and reserve broad discretion in the application of these proceeds. Accordingly, we reserve the right to use these proceeds for different purposes or uses which we have not listed above.

Pending any ultimate use of any portion of the proceeds from this offering, we intend to invest the proceeds in short-term U.S. governmental securities.

S-4

Capitalization

The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and capitalization as of March 31, 2007:

on an actual basis;

on an as adjusted basis to give effect to our sale of the 1,000,000 shares of common stock in this offering, based on the public offering price of $10.40 per share, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and estimated offering expenses; and

our convertible debt and warrants outstanding include anti-dilution provisions such that more shares are issuable upon conversion or exercise resulting in an increase in long-term debt and warrants liability.

This table should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and notes thereto that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.


	As of March 31, 2007
	Actual			As adjusted
(in thousands, except share and per share data)	(unaudited)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments	$	10,148		$	20,048

Long-term obligations, less current portion		19,687			19,865
Stock warrants		1,464			1,539
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 17,394,586 shares outstanding, actual; 18,394,586 shares outstanding, as adjusted		1,727			1,827
Additional paid in capital		142,510			152,310
Accumulated deficit		(108,403	)		(108,403	)

Accumulated other comprehensive income		7,490			7,490

Total stockholders’ equity		43,324			53,224

Total capitalization	$	64,475		$	74,628

The number of shares of common stock outstanding is based on the number of shares outstanding as of May 3, 2007, and does not include:

404,695 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price, after giving effect to the offering, of $18.53 per share;

2,148,815 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding at May 3, 2007 with a weighted average exercise price of $9.31 per share; and

1,079,096 shares of common stock reserved for future stock option grants and restricted stock awards as of May 3, 2007 under our equity compensation plans.

S-5

Market price of common stock

Our common stock is traded publicly through The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “MXWL.” The following table presents quarterly information on the price range of our common stock. This information indicates the high and low sales prices reported by The NASDAQ Global Market. These prices do not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions.


	High		Low
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2005
First quarter	$	11.14	$	9.10
Second quarter		12.26		7.44
Third quarter		14.50		12.00
Fourth quarter		15.67		12.25
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
First quarter	$	19.70	$	13.38
Second quarter		22.21		16.88
Third quarter		21.17		16.16
Fourth quarter		19.65		12.42
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
First quarter	$	16.18	$	10.50
Second quarter (through May 8, 2007)	$	13.28	$	11.30

As of May 3, 2007, there were approximately 418 holders of record of our common stock. On May 8, 2007, the last sale price reported on The NASDAQ Global Market for our common stock was $11.30 per share.

S-6

Dividend policy

Payment of dividends and the amount of dividends depend on matters deemed relevant by our board of directors, such as our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects and any limitations imposed by law, credit agreements and debt securities. To date, we have not paid any cash dividends or stock dividends on our common stock. In addition, we currently anticipate that we will not pay any dividends in the foreseeable future and intend to use retained earnings, if any, for working capital purposes.

S-7

Dilution

If you invest in our common stock, you will experience dilution to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share you pay in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering. Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2007 was approximately $8.7 million, or $0.50 per share of common stock. Net tangible book value per share is equal to our total tangible assets minus prepaid expenses, net leasehold improvements, pension assets and total liabilities, all divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2007. After giving effect to the sale of the 1,000,000 shares of common stock we are offering at a public offering price of $10.40 per share, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses, our as adjusted net tangible book value would have been approximately $18.6 million, or approximately $1.01 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of approximately $0.51 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of approximately $9.39 per share to new investors. The following table illustrates this calculation on a per share basis:


Assumed initial public offering price per share			$	10.40
Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2007	$	0.50
Increase per share attributable to the offering		0.51

As adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering				1.01

Dilution per share to new investors			$	9.39

If the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full, the as adjusted net tangible book value would increase to approximately $1.08 per share, representing an increase to existing stockholders of approximately $0.58 per share, and there would be an immediate dilution of approximately $9.32 per share to new investors.

The number of shares of common stock outstanding used for existing stockholders in the table and calculations above is based on 17,394,586 shares outstanding as of May 3, 2007 and excludes:

404,695 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price, after giving effect to the offering, of $18.53 per share;

2,148,815 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding at May 3, 2007 with a weighted average exercise price of $9.31 per share; and

1,079,096 shares of common stock reserved for future stock option grants and restricted stock awards as of May 3, 2007 under our equity compensation plans.

The exercise of outstanding options and warrants having an exercise price less than the public offering price will increase dilution to new investors.

S-8

Underwriting

We are offering the shares of our common stock described in this prospectus through UBS Securities LLC, the sole underwriter in this offering. We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriter. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the underwriter has agreed to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock.

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriter must buy all of the shares if it buys any of them. However, the underwriter is not required to take or pay for the shares covered by the underwriter’s over-allotment option described below.

Our common stock is offered subject to a number of conditions, including:

receipt and acceptance of our common stock by the underwriter; and

the underwriter’s right to reject orders in whole or in part.

In connection with this offering, the underwriter or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses electronically.

OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION

We have granted the underwriter an option to buy up to 150,000 additional shares of our common stock. The underwriter may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with this offering. The underwriter has 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to exercise this option.

COMMISSIONS AND DISCOUNTS

Shares sold by the underwriter to the public will initially be offered at the offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. If all the shares are not sold at the public offering price, the underwriter may change the offering price and the other selling terms. Sales of shares made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriter.

The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions we will pay to the underwriter, assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase up to an additional 150,000 shares:


	No Exercise		Full Exercise
Per Share	$	0.40	$	0.40
Total	$	400,000.00	$	460,000.00

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering payable by us, not including the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $100,000.

In compliance with NASD guidelines, the maximum commission or discount to be received by any NASD member or independent broker-dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

S-9

Underwriting

NO SALES OF SIMILAR SECURITIES

We and our executive officers and directors have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriter.

Under these agreements, we and each of these persons may not, without the prior written approval of UBS Securities LLC, subject to limited exceptions, offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of or hedge our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock. These restrictions will be in effect for a period of 45 days after the date of this prospectus supplement. At any time and without public notice, UBS Securities LLC may in its sole discretion release all or some of the securities from these lock-up agreements. The lock-up agreements executed by our executive officers and directors are subject to exceptions for certain gifts, sales pursuant to existing Rule 10b5-1 plans and dispositions intended to generate proceeds to cover tax liabilities arising from the vesting of restricted stock.

If:

during the period that begins on the date that is 15 calendar days plus 3 business days before the last day of the 45-day lock-up period and ends on the last day of the 45-day lock-up period,

we issue an earnings release; or

material news or a material event relating to us occurs; or

prior to the expiration of the 45-day lock-up period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 45-day lock-up period,

then the 45-day lock-up period will be extended until the expiration of the date that is 15 calendar days plus 3 business days after the date on which the issuance of the earnings release or the material news or material event occurs.

INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter and its controlling persons and affiliates against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we will contribute to payments the underwriter and its controlling persons and affiliates may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

NASDAQ GLOBAL MARKET

Our common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “MXWL.”

PRICE STABILIZATION, SHORT POSITIONS, PASSIVE MARKET MAKING

In connection with this offering, the underwriter may engage in activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our common stock, including:

stabilizing transactions;

short sales;

purchases to cover positions created by short sales;

imposition of penalty bids;

syndicate covering transactions; and

passive market making.

S-10

Underwriting

Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock while this offering is in progress. These transactions may also include making short sales of our common stock, which involve the sale by the underwriter of a greater number of shares of common stock than it is required to purchase in this offering. Short sales may be “covered short sales,” which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriter’s over-allotment option referred to above, or may be “naked short sales,” which are short positions in excess of that amount.

The underwriter may close out any covered short position either by exercising its over-allotment option, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriter will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which it may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. The underwriter must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter is concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchased in this offering.

As a result of these activities, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriter at any time. The underwriter may carry out these transactions on The NASDAQ Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

In addition, in connection with this offering the underwriter (and selling group members) may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market prior to the pricing and completion of this offering in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act. Passive market making consists of displaying bids on The NASDAQ Global Market no higher than the bid prices of independent market makers and making purchases at prices no higher than these independent bids and effected in response to order flow. Net purchases by a passive market maker on each day are generally limited to a specified percentage of the passive market maker’s average daily trading volume in the common stock during a specified period and must be discontinued when such limit is reached. Passive market making may cause the price of our common stock to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. If passive market making is commenced, it may be discontinued at any time.

AFFILIATIONS

The underwriter and its affiliates have provided and may provide certain commercial banking, financial advisory and investment banking services for us for which they receive fees.

The underwriter and its affiliates may from time to time in the future engage in transactions with us and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business.

S-11

Where you can find more information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The SEC’s website contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, such as us, that file electronically with the SEC. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of its Public Reference Room. We maintain a website at www.Maxwell.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus the information in, or that can be accessed through, our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

S-12

Incorporation of certain documents by reference

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement the information we have filed with the SEC. The information we incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement is an important part of this prospectus supplement. Any statement in a document we have filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus supplement or prospectus and which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus will be considered to be modified or superseded to the extent a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or any other subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes that statement. The modified or superseded statement will not be considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement or accompanying prospectus, as applicable, except as modified or superseded.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement the information contained in the documents listed below, which is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement:

our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2007 (file no. 001-15477);

our quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2007, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2007 (file no. 001-15477);

our current reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on April 4, 2007, and May 8, 2007;

our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, relating to the annual meeting of stockholders held on May 3, 2007, as filed with the SEC on April 4, 2007;

future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement but prior to the termination of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Maxwell Technologies, Inc.

9244 Balboa Avenue

San Diego, California

92133 (858) 503-3300

S-13

Legal matters

The validity of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement is being passed upon for us by Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP, San Diego, California. Shearman & Sterling LLP is counsel for the underwriter in connection with this offering.

S-14

Experts

Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statements of which this prospectus supplement is a part, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

S-15

PROSPECTUS

$125,000,000

MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Common Stock

Warrants

Debt Securities

From time to time, we may sell up to an aggregate of $125,000,000 of our common stock, warrants or debt securities. We will specify in any accompanying prospectus supplement the terms of any offering.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “MXWL.” On January 17, 2007, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $11.06 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on the Nasdaq National Market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.

Our principal executive offices are located at 9244 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, California 92123, and our telephone number at that address is (858) 503-3300.

You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE “ RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 3 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.

This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

The securities may be sold directly by us to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” If any underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable discounts or commissions and over allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this Prospectus is January 22, 2007.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		1
THE COMPANY		2
RISK FACTORS		3
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		3
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES		4
DILUTION		4
HOW WE INTEND TO USE THE PROCEEDS		5
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK		6
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS		8
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES		11
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES		17
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		21
LEGAL MATTERS		23
EXPERTS		23
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		23
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE		24

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus is an offer to sell and is seeking offers to buy only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of this prospectus and that any information we have incorporated by reference or included in any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date given in the document incorporated by reference or the prospectus supplement, as applicable, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any sale of our securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell common stock, warrants or debt securities in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $125,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell common stock, warrants or debt securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the securities offered. We may also use a prospectus supplement to add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement and the materials we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, includes all material information relating to this offering. Please carefully read this prospectus, all documents incorporated by reference, and any applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under “Where You Can Find More Information,” beginning on page 19, before buying any securities in this offering.

References in this prospectus to “Maxwell,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Maxwell Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, unless the context requires otherwise

THE COMPANY

•

Radiation-Mitigated Microelectronic Products: Our radiation-mitigated microelectronic products include high-performance, high-density power modules, memory modules and single board computers that incorporate our proprietary RADPAK^{^®} packaging and shielding technology and novel architectures that enable them to withstand environmental radiation effects and perform reliably in space.

We were incorporated in Delaware in 1987. The address of our principal executive office is 9244 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, California 92123, and our telephone number at that address is (858) 503-3300. Our web site address is www.Maxwell.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our web site is not part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risk factors discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” contained in any applicable prospectus supplement and our filings with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. These risks and uncertainties are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently view as immaterial, may also impair our business. If any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings or any prospectus supplement or any additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, the documents incorporated into this prospectus by reference herein and in any prospectus supplement that are not strictly historical in nature contain certain forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and information relating to Maxwell that are based on the beliefs of the management of Maxwell as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the management of Maxwell. Statements that are not based on historical facts, which can be identified by the use of such words as “likely,” “will,” “suggests,” “target,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” and similar expressions and their variants, are forward-looking. Such statements reflect the judgment of Maxwell as of the date of this prospectus and they involve many risks and uncertainties, such as those described in section entitled “Risk Factors”. Our actual results may differ materially from those predicted in any forward-looking statements and we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:


	Fiscal Year Ended December 31,					Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges	22.47	—	—	—	—	—

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 is 22.47. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, and the nine months ended September 30, 2006, our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $36.76 million, $5.93 million, $8.88 million, $5.82 million and $12.96 million, respectively. For the purpose of this table, “earnings” consist of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effect of accounting changes, equity in net losses of affiliates and fixed charges and “fixed charges” consist of interest expense and the portion of operating lease expense that represents interest.

DILUTION

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the following information regarding any material dilution of the equity interests of investors purchasing securities in an offering under this prospectus:

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The net tangible book value per share of our equity securities before and after the offering;

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The amount of the increase in such net tangible book value per share attributable to the cash payments made by purchasers in the offering; and

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The amount of the immediate dilution from the public offering price which will be absorbed by such purchasers.

HOW WE INTEND TO USE THE PROCEEDS

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including:

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for capital expenditures made in the ordinary course of business, including facilities expansion;

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for acquisitions of businesses, products and technologies that complement or expand our business; and

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to repay existing indebtedness.

If a material part of the net proceeds is to be used to repay indebtedness, we will set forth the interest rate and maturity of such indebtedness in a prospectus supplement.

We may set forth additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of securities we offer under this prospectus in a prospectus supplement relating to the specific offering.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

Our authorized capital stock consists of 40,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.10 par value. As of November 21, 2006, there were 17,260,150 shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Voting Rights

Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including the election of our directors. Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, our stockholders will not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose. In all other matters, an action by our common stockholders requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote.

Dividends

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably any dividends our board of directors declares out of funds legally available for that purpose. Any dividends on our common stock will be non-cumulative.

Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up

If we liquidate, dissolve or wind up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities.

Rights and Preferences

Our common stock has no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock.

Stockholder Rights Plan

In November 1999, we adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan as a successor to its previous plan, which expired in June 1999. In accordance with the plan, we distributed one non-voting common stock purchase right (“Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock. The Rights are not exercisable and will not trade separately from the common stock unless a person or group acquires, or makes a tender offer for, 20% or more of our common stock. Initially, each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $75 per share, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. If the Rights become exercisable and certain conditions are met, then each Right not owned by the acquiring person or group will entitle its holder to receive, upon exercise, common stock having a market value of twice the exercise price of the Right. In addition, we may redeem the Rights at a price of $0.01 per Right, subject to certain restrictions. The Stockholder Rights Plan expires on October 21, 2009.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Delaware takeover statute

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, which regulates acquisitions of some Delaware corporations. In general, Section 203 prohibits, with some exceptions, a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless:

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the board of directors of the corporation approved the business combination or the other transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder prior to the date of the business combination or other transaction;

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upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested stockholder, the person owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the

transaction commenced, excluding shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers of the corporation and shares issued under employee stock plans under which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

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on or subsequent to the date the person became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved the business combination and the stockholders of the corporation authorized the business combination at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 66²/3% of the outstanding stock of the corporation not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 of the DGCL generally defines a “business combination” to include any of the following:

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any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

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any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the corporation’s assets or outstanding stock involving the interested stockholder;

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in general, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any of its stock to the interested stockholder;

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any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of its stock owned by the interested stockholder; or

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the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as any person who, together with the person’s affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock.

Section 203 of the DGCL could depress our stock price and delay, discourage or prohibit transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, such as takeover attempts that might otherwise involve the payment to our stockholders of a premium over the market price of our common stock.

Amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaw provisions

Some provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of Maxwell, even if such change in control would be beneficial to our stockholders. We have a staggered board of directors, which means that our directors are divided into three classes. The directors in each class are elected to serve three-year terms. Since the three-year terms of each class overlap the terms of the other classes of directors, the entire board of directors cannot be replaced in any one year. Furthermore, our certificate of incorporation contains a “fair price provision” which may require a potential acquirer to obtain the consent of our board to any business combination involving Maxwell.

We have adopted a program under which our stockholders have rights to purchase our stock directly from us at a below-market price if a company or person attempts to buy us without negotiating with the board. This program is intended to encourage a buyer to negotiate with us, but may have the effect of discouraging offers from possible buyers.

The provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could delay, deter or prevent a merger, tender offer, or other business combination or change in control involving us that some, or a majority, of our stockholders might consider to be in their best interests. This includes offers or attempted takeovers that could result in our stockholders receiving a premium over the market price for their shares of our common stock.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Mellon Investor Services. Mellon Investor Services’ address is 400 South Hope Street, Suite 400, Los Angeles, California 90071.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or together with common stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future warrants we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

We will issue the warrants under a warrant agreement which we will enter into with a warrant agent to be selected by us. We have filed forms of the warrant agreements and the related warrant certificates for each type of warrant we may offer under this prospectus as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We use the term “warrant agreement” to refer to any of these warrant agreements. We use the term “warrant agent” to refer to the warrant agent under any of these warrant agreements. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of ours in connection with the warrants and will not act as an agent for the holders or beneficial owners of the warrants.

The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement applicable to a particular series of warrants. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the warrants that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements that contain the terms of the warrants.

General

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of warrants.

If warrants for the purchase of common stock are offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, to the extent applicable:

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the offering price and the aggregate number of warrants offered;

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the total number of shares that can be purchased if a holder of the warrants exercises them;

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the number of shares of common stock that can be purchased if a holder exercises the warrant and the price at which such common stock may be purchased upon exercise, including, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price and in the securities or other property receivable upon exercise;

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the terms of any rights to redeem or call, or accelerate the expiration of, the warrants;

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the date on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and the date on which that right expires;

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certain federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; and

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants.

If warrants for the purchase of debt securities are offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, to the extent applicable:

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the offering price and the aggregate number of warrants offered;

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the currencies in which the warrants are being offered;

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the designation, denominations and terms of the series of debt securities that can be purchased if a holder exercises a warrant;

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the principal amount of the series of debt securities that can be purchased if a holder exercises a warrant and the price at which and currencies in which such principal amount may be purchased upon exercise;

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the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

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the date on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and the date on which such right expires;

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certain federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; and

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants.

Warrants will be in registered form only.

If the warrants are offered attached to common stock or debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the date on and after which the holder of the warrants can transfer them separately from the related common stock or debt securities.

A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any warrants to purchase common stock are exercised, holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying common stock, including any rights to receive dividends or to exercise any voting rights, except to the extent set forth under “Warrant Adjustments” below. Until any warrants to purchase debt securities are exercised, the holder of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities that can be purchased upon exercise, including any rights to receive payments of principal, premium or interest on the underlying debt securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture.

Exercise of Warrants

Each holder of a warrant is entitled to purchase the number of shares of common stock or principal amount of debt securities at the exercise price described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the day when the right to exercise terminates (or a later date if we extend the time for exercise), unexercised warrants will become void.

A holder of warrants may exercise them by following the general procedure outlined below:

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delivering to the warrant agent the payment required by the applicable prospectus supplement to purchase the underlying security;

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properly completing and signing the reverse side of the warrant certificate representing the warrants; and

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delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to the warrant agent within five business days of the warrant agent receiving payment of the exercise price.

If you comply with the procedures described above, your warrants will be considered to have been exercised when the warrant agent receives payment of the exercise price, subject to the transfer books for the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrant not being closed on such date. After you have completed those procedures and subject to the foregoing, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver to you the common stock or debt securities that you purchased upon exercise. If you exercise fewer than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate, a new warrant certificate will be issued to you for the unexercised amount of warrants. Holders of warrants will be required to pay any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with transferring the underlying securities in connection with the exercise of the warrants.

Amendments and Supplements to the Warrant Agreements

We may amend or supplement a warrant agreement without the consent of the holders of the applicable warrants to cure ambiguities in the warrant agreement, to cure or correct a defective provision in the warrant agreement, or to provide for other matters under the warrant agreement that we and the warrant agent deem necessary or desirable, so long as, in each case, such amendments or supplements do not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

Warrant Adjustments

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the exercise price of, and the number of securities covered by, a common stock warrant will be adjusted proportionately if we subdivide or combine our common stock. In addition, unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, if we without receiving payment:

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issue capital stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, or any rights to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing, as a dividend or distribution to holders of our stock;

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issue any evidence of our indebtedness or rights to subscribe for or purchase our indebtedness to holders of our stock; or

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issue common stock or additional stock or other securities or property to holders of our stock by way of spinoff, split-up, reclassification, combination of shares or similar corporate rearrangement,

then the holders of common stock warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrants, in addition to the securities otherwise receivable upon exercise of the warrants and without paying any additional consideration, the amount of stock and other securities and property such holders would have been entitled to receive had they held the common stock issuable under the warrants on the dates on which holders of those securities received or became entitled to receive such additional stock and other securities and property.

Except as stated above, the exercise price and number of securities covered by a common stock warrant and the amounts of other securities or property to be received, if any, upon exercise of those warrants, will not be adjusted or provided for if we issue those securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for those securities, or securities carrying the right to purchase those securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for those securities.

Holders of common stock warrants may have additional rights under the following circumstances:

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certain reclassifications, capital reorganizations or changes of the common stock;

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certain share exchanges, mergers, or similar transactions involving us and which result in changes of the common stock; or

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certain sales or dispositions to another entity of all or substantially all of our property and assets.

If one of the above transactions occurs and holders of our stock are entitled to receive stock, securities or other property with respect to or in exchange for their securities, the holders of the common stock warrants then outstanding will be entitled to receive upon exercise of their warrants the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities or property that they would have received upon the applicable transaction if they had exercised their warrants immediately before the transaction.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any debt securities we offer under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

We will issue senior notes under a senior indenture which we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the senior indenture. We will issue subordinated notes under a subordinated indenture which we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the subordinated indenture. We have filed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement which includes this prospectus. We use the term “indentures” to refer to both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture. The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, or the Trust Indenture Act. We use the term “trustee” to refer to either the senior trustee or the subordinated trustee, as applicable.

The following summaries of material provisions of senior notes, subordinated notes and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. Except as we may otherwise indicate, the terms of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are identical.

General

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the following terms relating to a series of notes:

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the title;

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any limit on the amount that may be issued;

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whether or not we will issue the series of notes in global form, and, if so, who the depository will be;

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the maturity date;

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the annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the interest payment dates and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

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whether or not the notes will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

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whether or not the notes will be senior or subordinated;

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the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;

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the place where payments will be payable;

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our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

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the date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of notes pursuant to any optional redemption provisions;

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the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of notes;

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whether the indenture will restrict our ability to pay dividends, or will require us to maintain any asset ratios or reserves;

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whether we will be restricted from incurring any additional indebtedness;

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a discussion on any material or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the notes;

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the denominations in which we will issue the series of notes, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; and

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of notes may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other securities of ours. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of common stock or other securities of ours that the holders of the series of notes receive would be subject to adjustment.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

The indentures do not contain any covenant which restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures or the notes, as appropriate.

Events of Default Under the Indenture

The following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of notes that we may issue:

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if we fail to pay interest when due and our failure continues for 30 days and the time for payment has not been extended or deferred;

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if we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, when due and the time for payment has not been extended or delayed;

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if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the notes or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of notes, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive notice from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of the applicable series; and

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if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur to us.

If an event of default with respect to notes of any series occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, on and accrued interest, if any, on the notes due and payable immediately.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of notes, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the notes of that series, provided that:

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the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and

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subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

A holder of the notes of any series will only have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies, if:

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the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

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the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and

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the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of that series other conflicting directions within 60 days after the notice, request and offer.

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of notes if we default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the notes.

We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indentures.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters, including:

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to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture; and

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to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of notes of any series.

In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of notes may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of each series that is affected. However, we and the trustee may only make the following changes with the consent of each holder of any outstanding notes affected:

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extending the fixed maturity of the series of notes;

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reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of interest, or any premium payable upon the redemption of any notes; or

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reducing the minimum percentage of notes, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment.

Defeasance

The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.

Covenant Defeasance. Under current United States federal tax law, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay

your debt securities. If you hold subordinated securities, you also would be released from the subordination provisions described under “Subordinated Indenture Provisions- Subordination” below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

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If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and United States government or United States government agency debt securities or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates.

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Deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current United States federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity.

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Deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with.

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

Full Defeasance. If there is a change in United States federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:

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If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and United States government or United States government agency debt securities or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates.

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We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current United States federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity. Under current United States federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds at the time the cash and debt securities or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on the debt securities at the time of the deposit.

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We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and a legal opinion and officers’ backup certificate stating that all conditions precedent to defeasance have been complied with.

If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If you hold subordinated securities, you would also be released from the subordination provisions described later under “Subordinated Indenture Provisions-Subordination.”

Discharge

Each indenture provides that we can elect, under certain circumstances, to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for obligations to:

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replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;

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maintain paying agencies;

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hold monies for payment in trust;

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compensate and indemnify the trustee; and

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appoint any successor trustee.

In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue the notes of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue notes of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, or another depository named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series. See “Legal Ownership of Securities” for a further description of the terms relating to any book-entry securities.

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the notes of any series can exchange the notes for other notes of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the notes may present the notes for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the notes that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will not require any payment for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any notes. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the notes of each series.

If we elect to redeem the notes of any series, we will not be required to:

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issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any notes of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any notes that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

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register the transfer of or exchange any notes so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any notes we are redeeming in part.

Information Concerning the Trustee

The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given to it by the indentures at the request of any holder of notes unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any notes on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the notes, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest payment.

We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the notes of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, will we make interest payments by check which we will mail to the holder. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee in the city of New York as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to notes of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the notes of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the notes of a particular series.

All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any notes which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Governing Law

The indentures and the notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

Subordination of Subordinated Notes

The subordinated notes will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of subordinated notes which we may issue. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee maintain for this purpose as the “holders” of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as “indirect holders” of those securities.

As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.

Book-Entry Holders

We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Securities issued in global form will be registered in the name of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

As a result, investors in a book-entry security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not legal holders, of the securities.

Street Name Holders

We may terminate a global security or issue securities in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

For securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not legal holders, of those securities.

Legal Holders

Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee and of any third parties employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of the indenture or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the legal holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the legal holders.

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

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how it handles securities payments and notices;

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whether it imposes fees or charges;

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how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;

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whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future;

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how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and

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if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

Global Securities

A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, Depository Trust Company, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and legal holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a legal holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

Special Considerations for Global Securities

As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a legal holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

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An investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below.

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An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above.

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An investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form.

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An investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective.

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The depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security. We and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way.

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The depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well.

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Financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

Special Situations when a Global Security Will Be Terminated

In a few special situations described below, the global security will terminate, and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own name, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

The global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

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if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;

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if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or

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if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.

The applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not we or any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

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through agents to the public or to investors;

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to one or more underwriters for resale to the public or to investors;

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in “at the market offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise;

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directly to investors; or

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through a combination of these methods of sale.

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of the offering of securities, including:

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the name or names of any agents or underwriters;

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the purchase price of the securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

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any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

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any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

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the public offering price;

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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

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any securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed.

If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of the series offered if they purchase any of the securities of that series. We may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or reallow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement naming the underwriter the nature of any such relationship.

We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell securities on a continuing basis.

We may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the securities as well as the expenses of all commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to the sales of securities by us.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is listed on the NASDAQ National Market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

In connection with an offering, an underwriter may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional securities, if any, from us in the offering. If the underwriters have an over-allotment option to purchase additional securities from us, the underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing securities in the open market. In determining the source of securities to close out the covered short position, the underwriters may consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. “Naked” short sales are any sales in excess of such option or where the underwriters do not have an over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

Accordingly, to cover these short sales positions or to otherwise stabilize or maintain the price of the securities, the underwriters may bid for or purchase securities in the open market and may impose penalty bids. If penalty bids are imposed, selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in the offering are reclaimed if securities previously distributed in the offering are repurchased, whether in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The impositions of a penalty bid may also affect the price of the securities to the extent that it discourages resale of the securities. The magnitude or effect of any stabilization or other transactions is uncertain. These transactions may be effected on the NASDAQ National Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed upon by Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian LLP, San Diego, California.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule, Schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005, incorporated by reference in this prospectus from Maxwell’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, have been audited by McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule for the year ended December 31, 2003, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Maxwell Technologies, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, as amended), which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and special reports and other information with the SEC. In addition, we have filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the securities offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits which are part of the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement. You may read and copy any document that we file at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information regarding the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to you free of charge at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov, or at our website at http://www.Maxwell.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our web site is not part of this prospectus.

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this registration statement and prospectus the documents listed below, and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus (other than current reports or portions thereof furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K):

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Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006;

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Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006, June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006, as filed with the SEC on May 10, 2006, August 9, 2006 and November 9, 2006;

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Our Currents Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006, May 3, 2006, May 9, 2006, August 2, 2006, September 15, 2006, October 18, 2006 and November 2, 2006; and

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the description of our common stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A12B, filed with the SEC on November 18, 1999, including any amendments or reports filed for the purposes of updating this description.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus, but not delivered with the prospectus, upon written or oral request at no cost to the requester. You should direct any requests to:

Maxwell Technologies, Inc.

Attn: Investor Relations

9244 Balboa Avenue

San Diego, CA 92123

(858) 503-3300

The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede previously filed information, including information contained in this document.

You should only rely on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to distribute or sell securities in any jurisdiction where the distribution or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.