3M Tech Forum - Backgrounder

The 3M Tech Forum 3Ms unique culture of technical collaboration has spurred countless innovations that have driven
the companys commercial success, and, for decades, the 3M Tech Forum has served as a catalyst to help foster this unique culture. Now celebrating its 60th year, the Tech Forum continues to offer 3M researchers the opportunity to collaborate with global colleagues and cross-pollinate among the companys 45 technology platforms. The Tech Forum empowers scientists to harness the chain reaction of new ideas that drives the innovation pipeline at 3M through a comprehensive network of recognition programs, grants, symposiums, and other resources, including: Events Annual Event: The 3M Tech Forum Annual Event, held in September, is a major product and technology interactive session bringing together 3Ms technical employees. Composed of more than 60 engaging exhibits representing all six of 3Ms big businesses globally, the Annual Event enables employees to showcase their latest innovations at various developmental stages. Spring Symposium: The largest networking and information exchange event at 3M, this grassroots technology-sharing information session is open to 3Ms technical employees and enables them to highlight early-stage technology and product development. In 2005 there were 35 posters for employees to review and discuss. The Spring Symposium has now grown to showcase more than 160 posters highlighting the continued dedication of the technical community to drive innovation at 3M.
Recognizing the Technical Community The Carlton Society: Created in 1963 to honor top 3M scientists who develop innovative new products and contribute to the companys culture of innovation, The Carlton Society has inducted only 167 scientists to date and is one of the most prestigious awards bestowed to the 3M technical community. Young Inventors Recognition: Started in 1977, this annual event honors 3M scientists who have been awarded their first patent as a member of the technical community at 3M, as well as honors researchers who attained their 100th patent.
Grants Programs 3M Genesis Grants: Established in 1984, these seed grants help turn innovative ideas into reality for employees worldwide by supporting projects that aren't readily funded through normal channels. Genesis Grants have contributed to more than $1 billion in annual sales for 3M. Two examples of successful programs that were seeded with Genesis Grants are 3Ms Vikuiti Brightness Enhancement Film and 3M Volition Fiber Optic Cabling Systems. Discover Program: This grants program facilitated by 3Ms Staff and Division Scientists is designed to encourage employee growth through the discovery and support of new technologies. The Discover program helps bring the 15 Percent Time to life by offering financial support to scientists seeking funding on projects that fall beyond their primary responsibilities.
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Additional Resources 15 Percent Time: Unique to 3M, the 15 Percent Time encourages 3M scientists to dedicate a portion of their time to projects and research that go beyond their core responsibilities in order to fuel the innovation pipeline. While it may take years for such projects and research to bear fruit, the results of the storied 15 Percent Time include such notable products and product enhancements as 3M Tegaderm Transparent Dressings, Post-it Notes, and 3M Multilayer Optical Films. Tech Forum Special-Interest Chapters: The Tech Forum continues to cultivate connections among its members through more than 35 special-interest chapters that focus on specific scientific disciplines, such as nanotechnology, adhesives and polymer chemistry. The different special-interest chapters offer scientists within each subject the opportunity to gather, compare notes on recent research, and share their technical expertise and know-how, leading to the introduction of innovative new products and technologies. Technical Skills Database: The 3M Technical Skills Database allows members of the 3M Technical Community to find a 3M expert around the world associated with 3Ms key technologies, so that they can answer technology or research-related questions and share knowledge on a challenging program or new idea. This proprietary database contains expertise profiles for nearly 10,000 Tech Forum members and highlights their patents, invention submissions and approved publications. -30Contact: Trisha Seminara, Hunter Public Relations (212) 679-6600, ext. 212 tseminara@hunterpr.com or Colleen Harris, 3M (651) 733-1566 cahornharris1@mmm.com 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.
3M, Post-it and Tegaderm are trademarks of 3M Company 3M 2011
From: 3M Public Relations and Corporate Communications 3M Center, Building 225-1S-15 St. Paul, MN 55144-1000

3M Tech Forum - Backgrounder

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The 3M Tech Forum 3Ms unique culture of technical collaboration has spurred countless innovations that have driven

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