Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective September 26, 2008, the Board of Directors of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated, ("MTI" or "the Company") appointed Rodney A. Tillinghast as interim Chief Financial Officer.

Since joining MTI in July 2006, Mr. Tillinghast has served as Corporate Controller and Director of Financial Reporting where he was in charge of preparing and reviewing all SEC financial filings, designing and maintaining all financial reporting disclosures, and helping to implement best accounting practices. He has also served as Assistant Secretary of the Company's Board of Directors since December 2006.

On September 30, 2008, the Company issued a press release regarding the appointment of Mr. Tillinghast. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit
No. Description
99.1 Press release of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated issued on September 30, 2008.