MEET THE SCIENTISTS
Scientists in Everyday Life
In a 3M laboratory scientists come to work every day prepared to research information, explore new possibilities to impact the world and propel invention to make life better.
Here's how one 3M Scientist, Olester Benson, recently described a day in the life of his role as a leader in 3M's technical community:
"When I was younger, I always wanted to build a future in which I could make a difference. I wanted to be able to connect with people regularly to learn and grow into a leader. I also wanted to work in an environment where freedom to be create and explore would not only be allowed, but encouraged. Never did I think I would be lucky enough to realize all three dreams in one place, but that's exactly what I have been able to accomplish in my role as a Corporate Scientist at 3M.
Innovation is a way of life at 3M, and with that type of culture comes the expectation that you'll not only interact with various materials and technologies to find new ways to solve problems, but you'll do so through connection with others. That's what makes progress real...constantly communicating and sharing ideas with each other to achieve the best possible solution. Working with such a diverse network of people who are passionate about science and innovation has allowed me to research and develop new technologies that have impacted many different industries, including medical, safety, traffic control, energy, aerospace, home improvement, semiconductor processing, and electronic displays. Can you imagine? I get to work with microscopic prisms that bend light to make the screens of cell phones, laptop computers and LCD TV's brighter and more colorful!
I'm proud of my work and achievements in these areas, but I'm equally proud of the relationships I've been fortunate to build over the years in my role as a scientist, not least of which has been the opportunity to connect with young people like you. You are the future; today's curiosity will lead to tomorrow's innovation, so never stop asking the question, "What if?" I've been able to build an entire career on those two words, and you can too."
Dr. Benson is just one of many people who include "science" as part of their everyday job description at 3M.
Video: Hear more from Dr. Olester Benson about life as a 3M scientist.
Here's a snapshot of what some other 3M Scientists are currently working on:
Dr. Thomas Wood
3M Corporate Scientist, Dr. Thomas Wood, a 3M Corporate Scientist, joined 3M in 1980 and played a valuable role in creating the foundation for nanotechnology development at the company.
Caroline Ylitalo
Breathing Easier - 3M Research Specialist, Caroline Ylitalo is inventing new, more comfortable respirators to protect doctors and nurses from infectious diseases when they care for sick patients.
Tony Clinch
Driving Noteworthy Ideas - 3M Technical Director Tony Clinch, oversees the lab that develops all of the products that come from the Post-it® Brand. Most recently, his lab brought Post-it® Greener Notes to the marketplace, which are made using a plant-based adhesive.
Joe Oxman
Enhancing Smiles - 3M Corporate Scientist Joe Oxman, works in the field of photochemistry. This means that Joe uses light to transform small molecules (called monomers) into extremely large molecules (polymers or plastics). This technology is used extensively at 3M to polymerize or harden dental filling materials, electronic adhesives, tapes, abrasives and many other applications with simple exposure to ultraviolet or visible light.
Eric Jackson
Drinking Clean - 3M Senior Manufacturing Engineer Eric Jackson, is working on a solar water purification system.
In the world of innovation, ideas have no limit, and science provides the platform for launch. More than 6,000 other scientists come to work every day at 3M to help develop new solutions to problems around the world.
Earlier Pioneers of Everyday Science
Innovator: ROGER APPLEDRORN
Discovery: Optical innovations and microreplication technology
Ever wonder how traffic signs on the road stay so bright and visible? Each inch of sign material contains thousands of microreplicated prisms that reflect light back to drivers. This is made possible by 3M microreplication technology, the creation of tiny, precisely shaped structures arrayed to dramatically alter the physical, chemical and optical properties of a surface. Back in the 1950s, Roger Appledorn, a young physicist at 3M, was asked to work on overhead projectors when he became curious about the fine patterns on transparent surfaces he was examining. The rest is history.
Innovator: ALVIN BOESE
Discovery: Nonwoven fibers (decorative ribbon, cleaning pads, filters, insulated apparel)
Fascinated by nonwoven technology and its potential applications, Al Boese experimented in the 3M lab for years until he developed Sasheen decorative ribbon, a huge hit when it was launched in 1950. A few years later, 3M "married" nonwovens to abrasives to produce Scotch-Brite® scrubbing and polishing pads. Later innovations stemming from Boese's initial exploration of nonwoven technology led to oil sorbents, Thinsulate™ thermal insulation for apparel, industrial respirators, and filters for residential and commercial buildings.
Innovator: RICHARD DREW
Discovery: Scotch® Tape
Abandoning a musical career for a job at 3M in the early 1920s, this young, banjo-playing engineer became an expert in the area of pressure-sensitive adhesives after developing the first-ever masking tape in 1925. Persistent innovation led to the development of Scotch® cellulose tape in 1930, with the purpose of providing a moisture-proof seal for the cellophane food packaging then coming into vogue.
Innovator: ART FRY & SPENCE SILVER
Discovery: Post-it® Note
In the 1960s, 3M Scientist Spence Silver had developed an adhesive that was strong enough to stick to surfaces, but could be easily removed without residue. What could the world do with something like this? 3M Researcher, Art Fry had an idea. While in church, he noticed the bookmarks in his hymnal kept falling out. If only there was a way to keep them in place with something that would stick without damaging the page... he connected with his colleague to explore creative synergy between technology and idea. The repositionable "bookmarks" took on new functions, revolutionizing the way we communicate with the invention of the Post-it® Note in 1980.
Innovator: LEW LEHR
Discovery: Surgical Drapes
When it came to sterile surgical conditions in the 1940s, the best surgeons could do was to sterilize a cloth towel and position it around the operation site, attaching it with pinchers to the patient's skin. The wound became exposed, increasing risk of infection. Laboratory researcher (and future CEO of 3M), Lew Lehr got inside the world of doctors and healthcare professionals to understand how his 3M team could improve conditions. The result? 3M's breakthrough surgical drapes featured a plastic sheet with adhesive that would stick to the skin right up to the wound edge, dramatically reducing the risk of infection.
Innovator: MEL SATER AND JOE MASSITELLO
Discovery: Magnetic Audio and Video Recording Tape
Led by Mel Sater and Joe Massitello, a team of dedicated 3M researchers and scientists developed the world's first high quality magnetic recording tape more than 50 years ago. It proved to be an instant success when legendary crooner Bing Crosby used the tape to pre-record his broadcasts, solving the problem of national time zone changes. Five years later, RCA used Scotch magnetic tape to record television programs for the first time.
Innovator: PATSY SHERMAN
Discovery: Scotchgard™ protector
There she was in a 3M lab, in the middle of researching a new rubber for jet aircraft fuel lines with colleague Sam Smith in 1952, when Chemical Researcher Patsy Sherman noticed something odd. A lab assistant accidentally dropped a glass bottle containing an experimental compound on her new tennis shoes. The spill would not wash off, nor would any solvent remove it. Big Idea: develop a compound that repels oil and water from fabrics. Scotchgard™ fabric and material protector was born in 1956.