Building on Science and Technology

Research and development is the heartbeat of 3M. In 2015, we invested 5.8 percent of our sales back into the science that makes 3M strong. This investment helps 3M researchers secure more than 3,000 patents globally each year – more than 105,000 in total – and keep a steady stream of unique products meeting customers’ needs. Roughly one third of 3M’s sales comes from products introduced in the last five years.

When Babu Gaddam first joined 3M, he set out to make a new adhesive for masking tape. It met all the requirements for the tape – and it was discovered to have an even better use. It didn’t smell when heated, which is a must for electronic devices.

Tim Hebrink lived completely “off the grid” for 12 years, and produced more renewable energy than he could use. Tim is a chemical engineer and a polymer film expert who has earned 40 3M patents. Some of his inventions were inspired by the work he does at home.

Manjiri Kshirsagar had wanted to earn a patent since she was 15. That’s when her brother came home with a patent and generated buzz among their family in India – giving her a new goal for her future.

As a scientist at 3M, Manjiri was looking for a material that could detect salmonella in food samples. That’s when it happened. During her testing, she made a discovery that led to her first 3M patent.

For 25 years, 3M Corporate Scientist Klaus Hintzer has worked with fluoropolymers, a key ingredient for the plastics used in pipe linings and automotive fuel hoses. Their high resistance to heat and chemicals makes fluoropolymers tough, but Klaus envisioned a way to make them more sustainable, too.

3Mers Cristin Moran and Lisa Miller teamed up to create solutions to end everyday wardrobe problems, including double-sided tape for that unruly hemline and clips designed to keep bra straps in place. Working with product development specialists and engineers, they came up with a line of creative fixes. Some of the product drew from existing technology like 3M toupee tape – not surprising from a company with experts in adhesives.

A glance at the trash led to an idea that saves money and prevents waste from going into landfills. Kim Sachs says that idea, and some research, spurred the launch of a new product line.

Kim, a 3M product development manager, was visiting a factory when he saw operators putting waste material into a trash can. He immediately realized they could probably use the leftover nonwoven materials.

 

3M scientists leverage research and development to enhance our 46 technology platforms, which range from adhesives and abrasives, to ceramics and nanotechnology. With labs in 36 countries, one idea always leads to the next, igniting momentum to make progress possible around the world.

3M recently opened lab at corporate headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. It is the new creative home for up to 700 scientists in six different divisions. The building is designed to foster collaboration, setting up scientists to succeed carrying out 3M’s vision of 3M technology advancing every company, 3M products enhancing every home and 3M innovation improving every life.