Transportation & Energy...

If the idea of making your own fuel is appealing, and you have access to loads of sugar or sugary fruit, check out this backyard ethanol brewer. The MicroFueler from E-Fuel Corporation works pretty much like making wine in the garage or hooch in the tub, but instead produces 35 gallons of ethanol.

The unit, which is about as big as the refrigerator in a rented apartment, will retail for $9,995. That price doesn't include any federal, state, or local incentives you might be able to swing. The cost of the raw materials, the time-release yeast developed by the machine's inventor, and the electricity to power the process comes to about a dollar a gallon.

You can make it even cheaper if you do as MicroFueler investor Terry Quinn does and collect leftover alcohol from bars. Ask your local barkeep for the "Hairy Buffalo" or a "Turnpike" to get the slop after a night of pouring shots.

The only rules and regs that apply to homemade ethanol are being a property owner and agreeing to make your hopped-up hooch outside. There are rules against running vehicles on 100% ethanol, but the fuel you brew can be mixed with water or gasoline, just like E10 or E85.