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The techno maestro's amazing machine: Kohei Minato and the Japan Magnetic Fan Company; A maverick inventor's breakthrough electric motor uses permanent magnets to make power--and has investors salivating.(Feature)
From:
Japan Inc.
| Date:
March 1, 2004| Author:
Dodd, John
| COPYRIGHT 2004 Japan Inc. Communications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information
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WHEN WE FIRST GOT the call from an excited colleague that he'd just seen the most amazing invention--a magnetic motor that consumed almost no electricity--we were so skeptical that we declined an invitation to go see it. If the technology was so good, we thought, how come they didn't have any customers yet?
We forgot about the invitation and the company until several months later, when our friend called again.
"OK," he said. "They've just sold 40,000 units to...