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NEWSCIENCENEWSCIENCENEWSCIENCE Whereas another inventor might be tempted to outsource everything to a larger corporation, Minato is driven in part by his vision of social justice and responsibility. The 40,000 motors for the convenience store chain are being produced by a group of small manufacturers in Ohta-ku and Bunkyo-ku, in the inner north of Tokyo— which is becoming a regional rust belt. Minato is seized with the vision of reinvigorating these small workshops that until the 1980s were the bedrock of Japan's manufacturing and economic miracle. Their level of expertise will ensure that the quality of the motors will be as good as those from any major company. technology by a couple of years. Ironically, by the time he'd won patents in 47 countries, the Japanese Patent Office turned him down on the grounds that the invention "couldn't possibly work" and that somehow he was fabricating the claims. But a few months later it was forced to recant its decision after the US Patent Office recognised his invention and gave him the first of two patents (see USPatent #5,394,289). Minato noted: "How typical of Japan's small-minded bureaucrats that they needed the leadership of the US to accept that my invention was genuine." By 2001, the Minatos had refined their motors and met enough potential investors to enter into a major international relation- ship initially with a Saudi company, to be followed thereafter by companies in the US and elsewhere. However, fate dealt the investors and Minato's business a serious blow when the World Trade Center was attacked in New York City. The Saudis retreated, and Minato's plans fell back to Minato's motors consume just 20 per cent or less of the power of conventional motors with the same torque and horse- power. They run cool to the touch and pro- duce almost no acoustic or electrical noise. They are significantly safer and cheaper (in terms of power consumed), and they are sounder environmentally. The implications are enormous. In the USA alone, almost 55 per cent of the nation's electricity is consumed by electric motors. While most factory operators buy the cheapest motors possible, they are steadily being educated by bodies like NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) that the costs of running a motor over a typical 20-year lifespan com- prise a purchase price of just 3 per cent of the total and electricity costs of 97 per cent. It is not unusual for a US$2,000 motor to consume $80,000 of electricity (at a price of 0.06 cents per kilowatt hour). Since 1992, when efficiency legislation was put into place at the US federal level, motor efficiency has been a high priority— and motors saving 20 per cent or so on electrical bills are considered highly efficient. Minato is about to introduce a motor which saves 80 per cent, putting it into an entirely new class. The $80,000 running cost will drop to just $16,000. This is a significant saving, particularly when multi- plied by the millions of motors used throughout the USA and Japan—and the world. International preparation Despite his plan to do things domestically first, Minato is well prepared for the international markets. He is armed with six years of living and doing business in Los Angeles in the early 1990s—and with patent protection in over 48 countries. Minato's US experience came after play- ing the piano for a living for 15 years. The idea for his magnetic motor design came rom a burst of inspiration while playing the piano, and he began tinkering with his invention in the mid-1970s. But Minato decided to drop everything in 990 to help his daughter, Hiroko, who at the age of 20 decided that she wanted to be a rhythm and blues star in the USA. Minato is a strong believer in family: if Hiroko was going to find fame and fortune in the USA, Dad had better be there to help manage her. He succeeded in helping Hiroko achieve a UK dance chart number- one hit in 1995. In 1996, Minato returned to Japan and his magnetic motor project. The following year he displayed his prototypes to national jower companies, government officials and others at a five-day conference in Mexico City. Interest was palpable, and Minato realised that his invention might meet a global need for energy-saving devices. Subsequent previews and speeches in Korea and Singapore further consolidated his commitment to bringing the invention to fruition, and he was able to bring in sev- eral early-stage investors. During the late 1990s, Minato continued to refine his prototypes. He also stayed in constant contact with his lawyer, register- ing patents in major countries around the world. Through his experiences in the US he realised that legal protection was criti- cal, even if it meant delaying release of the square one. was put into place at the US federal level, Now Minato is once again ready to _ motor efficiency has been a high priority— move. With the first order in the works and motors saving 20 per cent or so on and more orders pending successful proto- electrical bills are considered highly types, he has decided that investors don't _ efficient. have to be primary partners. He is actively Minato is about to introduce a motor accepting inquiries from corporate which saves 80 per cent, putting it into an investors who can bring strategic advan- entirely new class. The $80,000 running tages and corporate credibility with them. cost will drop to just $16,000. This is a The Minatos' company, Japan Magnetic _ significant saving, particularly when multi- Fan, is planning to make a series of invest- plied by the millions of motors used ment tie-up announcements in the first and throughout the USA and Japan—and the second quarters of 2004. world. JUNE — JULY 2004 NEXUS = 43 Implications of the technology Two ganged motors connected to a generator, for use in the home. www.nexusmagazine.com