Frederick Gardner Cottrell (10.01.1877 – 16.11.1948) was a clever man who was a teacher, scientist and is the inventor of the electrostatic precipitator. An electrostatic precipitator is a device that eradicates hovering particles from streams of gas. The invention’s design was one of the first of its kind to eliminate air pollution.
There are two major types of precipitators which are a high voltage single stage and low voltage two stage. Use of the high voltage option is generally in the mineral processing industry. The low voltage option is usually for air conditioning filtration systems.
Early Life
Cottrell was born in Oakland and graduated high school at just 16. He then went on to University and after graduating in only 3 years, went on to teach chemistry. From this he began to save his wages to pay for a higher education. Later he studied abroad and received his PH.D. in 1902. He returned to America and began work on the electrostatic precipitator. He was granted a patent for it in 1908.
Later Work
In 1912, the Research Corporation began with the help of Cottrell. It was a non-for-profit organization that supports simple research in universities and colleges. Cottrell assigned his precipitator patents to the corporation as a donation. His instruction was to use the entirety of $3,500,000 grossed by his invention. These funds have supported over 18,000 scientists. As a result, 750 patents have been awarded and 40 Nobel prizes have been won.
In 1948, Cottrell was at a National Academy of Sciences session and collapsed. Unfortunately, as a result of his injuries he did not make it to the hospital alive. Cottrell has certainly made a really positive impact on the world. He was able to help further so many scientists and their marvelous minds due to the proceeds of his truely remarkable invention – the electrostatic precipitator. If you think you may be looking at installing one, give us a call today to discuss your options.
