3M Science based on 49 Technology Platforms

As a #3Mer #scientist I have found that 3M 公司 's 49 technology platforms are at the center of our innovation process. Recently, these platforms were updated to represent the current 3M strengths and climate technology was added—it is the 4th platform on the table of which I would consider myself an expert.

As a materials scientist specializing in ceramic materials, the “Ce” for ceramics represents my foundation. More than 25 years of experience in developing and applying ceramic materials has helped to build a strong foundation for myself in this material space. As my colleagues can attest, I still feel “passionate about ceramics” when I get the chance to talk about zirconia, fractography, the special capabilities of non-oxide ceramics or the role of ceramic filler.

Looking at Climate Tech, “Ct” on the table, ceramics are used in many forms:

• Fillers in alkaline electrolyzer diaphragms used in hydrogen production
• Electrolyte in Solid Oxide systems used in high temperature at up to 850°C for hydrogen production
• Seals and bearings in the pumps for the balance of plant (support system for media) in alkaline electrolyzer for hydrogen production
• Glass bubbles in cryogenic storage tanks for liquid hydrogen large scale storage tanks

And potentially in many other areas where high temperatures or aggressive media need to be handled.

What is even more important for innovation at 3M is that by combining our technology platforms we can create new differentiated products. In 2015, I started looking into thermal management materials for electric vehicle battery systems. The industry needed to find a material with high thermal performance, but also a polymer system with short curing time. At the time, our dental team offered a good starting point and we combined one of their base polymer systems with my ceramic fillers, which provided the thermal conductivity. This collaboration was empowered by the 15% Culture program at 3M, which encourages employees to use 15% of their time on a project or idea that excites them—even if it doesn’t relate to their day-to-day role. We just started partnering and exploring this idea before turning it into a development project.

What I also learned at the time was that to make a suitable product and enable large scale assembly, you had to consider the materials, process and system design during the development process. We are now using this learning to grow our climate tech portfolio—e.g. applying our adhesive and sealant portfolio toward the large-scale assembly of electrolyzers.

By adding elements to the table of 3M technologies, we also show the progress from exploratory work to more established technologies. I have seen this firsthand by being involved in the implementation of three new platforms at 3M that were later added to the table: Thermal Management (“Tm”), Additive Manufacturing (“Am”) and now Climate Tech (“Ct”).

With the 49 platforms as our foundation, 3M excels in identifying global and customer challenges, then innovating solutions that leverage our technologies in new ways and combinations. Three years ago, I started exploring the hydrogen economy—one of our climate tech focus areas—and the main questions were “when” and “where” it would become a reality. As the 3M Hydrogen Technology and Business Architect, exploring the answers to these questions has led to many interesting challenges. Understanding those challenges and translating them into technical or materials science challenges, which can then be connected to our technology platforms, is a role I very much enjoy. We are currently focused on transforming insights into technical solutions, and with the many experts behind our technologies, I am confident we can collectively advance our climate tech platform and portfolio.