3M Energy-Saving Technologies Spotlighted During Visit
3M announced that United States Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu, toured 3M Laboratories and Innovation Center in February at company headquarters located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Chu met with 3M executives and employees in the company’s energy-related businesses. The tour showcased LCD TV energy-saving films, Reflective Solar Films, window films, Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced, cool roofing solutions, and Lithium Ion Battery components.
Dr. Chu’s visit came at a time when the country is being called upon to step up research, commercialization and use of alternative energy sources. Dr. Chu stated during a press conference that the country is fortunate to have an innovative company like 3M.
3M’s Dr. Fred Palensky, executive vice president, 3M Research and Development and Chief Technology Officer, hosted the delegation, which also included United States Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota. Dr. Palensky said, “3M’s inventive spirit has sustained a constant evolution of business impact. Our culture encourages us to deliver new inventions to the world through pursuing unique combinations of technologies and ideas for our customers.”
3M’s state of the art research facilities and expertise in materials science have enabled scientists to create advances in a multitude of energy-related technologies used in the manufacture of solar panels, wind turbines, power transmission, and other renewable energy and energy-efficient products. For example, 3M™ Cool Mirror Film’s innovative properties reflect only certain wavelengths of light useful for generating electricity from solar cells. 3M™ Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR) can double, or even triple, the capacity of existing transmission lines without rebuilding towers or expanding existing rights-of-way. As a result, the ACCR provides an efficient, reliable and cost-effective way to more rapidly deliver renewable energy, such as wind and solar, to the grid, reduce overloading, and increase transmission capacity without the myriad delays associated with line upgrades in crowded urban areas and environmentally sensitive zones, such as river crossings. 3M also highlighted its advanced battery materials that have excellent electrochemical properties and thermal stability for use in rechargeable lithium ion batteries.
About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $27 billion in sales, 3M employs about 80,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.
3MColleen Harris, 651-733-1566
