Showing posts with label 3M. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3M. Show all posts
Aug 31, 2012
Sticking to Legend
According to legend, Scotch tape earned
its name when a frustrated customer told a 3M scientist to “take it
back to your Scotch bosses and tell them to put more adhesive on
it.” Today, Scotch “Magic Tape” is manufactured in one place in the
world: Hutchinson, Minn.
Oct 11, 2011
Solar Windows
3M has developed a see-through film that turns ordinary windows into solar panels. It will go on sale next year.
The solar film, on display at the Ceatec electronics conference in Japan, is arrayed in narrow, translucent green strips with clear gaps between and then glued to windows in large patches. A square meter of the film can generate roughly enough electricity to charge an iPhone under peak sunlight, but still allows for high visibility.
The film might cost about half as much as solar panels, but will produce less electricity. It is easier to install and takes up no additional space.
"An average person could go to the store, buy some of this, and then bring it home and install it themselves," said Yasuhiro Aoyagi, a senior manager in the company's construction markets division.
The film blocks or absorbs about 80% of visible light and over 90% of infrared light, so it also acts as a sunshade. Demonstrations showed a difference of 10 degrees Celsius between two sides of a window it was attached to.
The solar film, on display at the Ceatec electronics conference in Japan, is arrayed in narrow, translucent green strips with clear gaps between and then glued to windows in large patches. A square meter of the film can generate roughly enough electricity to charge an iPhone under peak sunlight, but still allows for high visibility.
The film might cost about half as much as solar panels, but will produce less electricity. It is easier to install and takes up no additional space.
"An average person could go to the store, buy some of this, and then bring it home and install it themselves," said Yasuhiro Aoyagi, a senior manager in the company's construction markets division.
The film blocks or absorbs about 80% of visible light and over 90% of infrared light, so it also acts as a sunshade. Demonstrations showed a difference of 10 degrees Celsius between two sides of a window it was attached to.
Sep 24, 2011
What's in a Name, Scotchguard
Patsy Sherman, a chemist for 3M was assigned to work on a project to develop a rubber material that would not deteriorate from exposure to jet aircraft fuels.
She accidentally dropped the mixture she was experimenting with on her shoe. While the while the rest of her shoe became dirty and stained, one spot remained bright and clean. She retraced her steps and identified the stain resistant compound, known today as scotchguard.
She accidentally dropped the mixture she was experimenting with on her shoe. While the while the rest of her shoe became dirty and stained, one spot remained bright and clean. She retraced her steps and identified the stain resistant compound, known today as scotchguard.
Jun 25, 2010
Five More Famous Name Origns
DHL - In the late 1960s, Larry Hillblom finished law school and recruited his pals Adrian Dalsey and Robert Lynn to help him with making delivery trips. The company quickly took off, and they named it after their respective last initials.
3M - The conglomerate behind Post-It Notes gets its name from its roots as a company that mined stone to make grinding wheels. The company was known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, which was shortened to 3M.
A&W Root Beer - Roy Allen opened his first root beer stand in Lodi, CA, in the summer of 1919, and quickly began expanding. Within a year he had partnered with Frank Wright, and the pair christened their product from their last initials, 'A&W Root Beer'.
P.F. Chang’s - The Asian dining chain’s name is a composite of the founding restaurateur Paul Fleming’s initials and founding chef Philip Chiang’s last name.
ING - Jeff knows the banking giant’s name is an abbreviation of Internationale Nederlanden Groep, or 'International Netherlands Group'. The company’s use of orange in its buildings and promotion is the color of the Dutch royal family dating way back to William of Orange.
3M - The conglomerate behind Post-It Notes gets its name from its roots as a company that mined stone to make grinding wheels. The company was known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, which was shortened to 3M.
A&W Root Beer - Roy Allen opened his first root beer stand in Lodi, CA, in the summer of 1919, and quickly began expanding. Within a year he had partnered with Frank Wright, and the pair christened their product from their last initials, 'A&W Root Beer'.
P.F. Chang’s - The Asian dining chain’s name is a composite of the founding restaurateur Paul Fleming’s initials and founding chef Philip Chiang’s last name.
ING - Jeff knows the banking giant’s name is an abbreviation of Internationale Nederlanden Groep, or 'International Netherlands Group'. The company’s use of orange in its buildings and promotion is the color of the Dutch royal family dating way back to William of Orange.
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