Dr. Peter C. Foller, received his Ph.D. in chemistry (with a concentration in electrochemistry) from the University of California at Berkeley in 1979. He opted to retire early from PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) having served as R&D director for PPG’s (then) optical and commodity chemical businesses (including a 4-plant 5,000 mT/day chlor-alkali and derivatives complex and the photochromic ophthalmic lens internal start-up Transitions Optical). After a varied R&D career in the service of businesses both large and small, a couple of which he cofounded, Dr. Foller returned to his roots in the San Francisco Bay Area.
A focal point has been serving as representative agent for Actech Sensors (Dalian) Co. Ltd. (P.R. China) in developing the Acutect(TM) brand of TDLAS (tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy) sensors for methane and, most recently, ammonia. In the case of ammonia, a fixed-point diffusion-based sensor has been develop to target the replacement of electrochemical sensors in industrial settings. Also available is a unique open-path handheld for exploratory stand-off leak detection. Considerable scope exists for the customization of either. For further information, please contact Dr. Foller via the coordinates below.
Dr. Foller also enjoys helping build North American representative organizations for promising technically-oriented overseas small business. Chemical sensing has proven a focus. Radon via Ecosense, Inc. (www.ecosense.io) has been a standout.
An inveterate optimist, Dr. Foller especially enjoys working with start-up teams (mainly pursuing chemical, materials, and optical topics) seeding them with ideas and/or helping with pivots. In addition to working with more experienced SF Bay Area start-ups, Dr. Foller has advised spinout teams from various major universities, in such cases helping refining pitches, securing investment, and winning proposals.
Dr. Foller chairs the advisory board for CESET, U.C. Berkeley's new Center for Electrochemical Science and Engineering Technology, working closely with Prof. Shannon Boettcher of the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering.
An ad hoc member of leading SF Bay Area networks of angel investors, Dr. Foller is also able to provide introductions to the investment community, as appropriate.
Contact points:
Dr. Peter C. Foller
1591 Jackson St.
Unit 3
San Francisco, California 94109
U.S.A.
Mobile: +1 412 609 5115 (Pacific Time Zone) / also WhatsApp number
Email: peter@foller.net / peterfoller@berkeley.edu