http://www.japan.com/technology/index.php

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

by John Dodd

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 a major convenience store chain. Now will you see it?"

In Japan, no one pays for 40,000 convenience store cooling fans without being reasonably sure that they are going to work.

(More at site...)

(Thanks to the Forteana list!)