Cottrell, Frederick Gardner

Cottrell, Frederick Gardner (1877–1948) chemist; born in Oakland, Calif. He was affiliated with the University of California (1902–11) and held a number of government posts until 1930. He invented electrostatic precipitators for the removal of suspended particles from gases (c. 1911). He founded the Research Corporation (1912), which eventually held over 750 patents. He helped develop a process for separation of helium from natural gas and helped establish the U.S. synthetic ammonia industry.