Leroy Ohlsen, 30 Replaced fuel cells plastic membranes with
porous silicon. Founder and chief technology officer , Neah
Power Systems Fuel cells that run on methanol can power cell
phones and laptops, but theyre expensive and not very powerful.
Leroy Ohlsen, founder of Neah Power Systems of Bothell, WA,
replaced the cells plastic membranes, which strip electrons out
of the methanol to produce electricity, with porous silicon. Not
only does the silicon "give us more power," says Ohlsen, but it
could also cut manufacturing costs. Expect the companys first
fuel cells in 2006.