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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
use of our report dated April 18, 2000 (except as to the stock split described
in Note 12, as to which the date is April 25, 2000), in the Registration
Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-35782) and related Prospectus of Argonaut
Technologies, Inc. for the registration of shares of 4,000,000 common stock.



Palo Alto, California                                      /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP



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