Increasing the voltage of a battery.

I'm butting in without much knowledge on the subject, but isn't the power generated actually Voltage*Amperage? A transformer simply exchanges one for the other while keeping the same power. We tend to use lower amperage & high voltage because it's less dangerous if someone comes in contact with it.

Actually, less current and high voltage can be just as deadly and that is usually what kills (i.e. lightning has low current to voltage).

As for the starter, 9 volts is more than sufficient if all you are lifting is a paper clip. the strength of the magnet does not need to be enormous, you can pick up a paper clip with a flimsy fridge magnet, so the bulk of your power will be available for the motor. what you would need to do (as a start) is have one switch to turn on the magnet, then turn on the motor, then a third swith to control up and down for the motor. easy peasy.