Chow's metal-wire cleaning technology, called DynaPower, uses salt water electrolysis and high intensity ultrasound to replace acid and other environmentally burdensome cleaning methods traditionally used by metal-wire manufacturers.

The Financial Post awarded the technology its Environmental Technology Gold award in 1996.

He and business partner Jim Alexander pooled resources, founded DynaPower Inc. in 2002 and hired independent contractors as sales staff. Soon, their team landed six new projects in sites as far away as Bahrain, South Korea and the United States. A total of 43 DynaPower systems operate globally.

While with Dynamotive, Chow helped find clients for the DynaPower cleaning system, including global giants such as Hitachi Ltd., Sumitomo Corp., Alcatel and Schlumberger Ltd.

Chow and Alexander are investing revenues into product development and are perfecting a new technology that uses ultrasound to clean silicon wafers.

Outside work, Chow writes for industry journals. One of his articles won the Wire Association International's Horace Pops Award for best paper last year.

Profession you would like to try: Travel journalist

Where do you feel most comfortable? At home with my wife, Ruby

Favourite movie: The Shining

Currently reading: Sports and business sections of various papers

Toughest decision: Selling my first car because I had so many good memories

Car: Saab 900s

Would most like to meet: Billy Idol

Birthplace: Vancouver, B.C.

Last CD bought: Montreal Jazz Festival compilation

Education: Master's in engineering from UBC

What's left to do: Travel to Africa for a safari