Meet the Inventor

Frederick W. MacDougall is an electrical engineer, inventor, veteran, and dedicated environmental advocate based in San Diego, California. Born in Wisconsin, he began his professional journey with service in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Vietnam War era.

After his military service, MacDougall pursued a career in electrical engineering, specializing in high-energy-density capacitors and pulsed power systems. He worked for companies including Maxwell (later part of General Atomics Electronic Systems) and General Atomics in San Diego, contributing significantly to advanced capacitor technologies for applications in pulsed power, power conditioning, directed energy systems, and high-reliability environments. He is a co-author on technical papers and holds patents related to capacitor design, electrode patterning, and systems to prevent catastrophic failures in high-voltage applications. His engineering work supported projects with demanding performance requirements, including those for national laboratories and defense-related pulsed power needs.

In retirement, Frederick MacDougall has channeled his technical expertise and passion for problem-solving into addressing pressing environmental challenges, particularly climate change mitigation through carbon capture and sequestration. He has presented concepts for capturing and removing CO₂ (and organic carbon) from the atmosphere to groups like the San Diego Section of the American Nuclear Society, exploring innovative, practical approaches to atmospheric carbon management.

Beyond his professional and advocacy work, MacDougall is an active sailor in the San Diego area, participating in racing and club activities with groups like the Convair Sailing Club and Torrey Pines Sailing Club, where he has served in roles such as Racing Chairman. This reflects a lifelong appreciation for the ocean and outdoors that aligns with his environmental commitments.

MacDougall's life exemplifies a transition from service in uniform and cutting-edge engineering innovation to thoughtful, hands-on efforts tackling global environmental issues—driven by curiosity, technical rigor, and a commitment to a sustainable future. He continues to live in San Diego, where he remains engaged in community, technical, and sailing circles.