Meet the Mentor:
Dr. Kris Thunhorst
3M Senior Research Specialist
Aerospace and Commercial Transportation Division
She is helping to fuel our lives – literally. As a lead research specialist in 3M’s Industrial Business Group Research and Development Laboratory, she collaborates closely between the Divisions and Corporate Laboratories to scout new technologies and coordinate research efforts with the most crucial development projects in the Divisions. Her previous position was in Aerospace and Commercial Transportation Division (ACTD), where she served as the technical team lead for the Compressed Natural Gas Pressure Vessel Products. These pressure vessel products are used to contain natural gas as a fuel for semi-trucks. Dr. Thunhorst was instrumental in the development of our nanoparticle matrix resin technology, which enables natural gas tanks to be lighter and have a larger volume than competitors’ products. That means truck fleets can switch from diesel fuel to cheaper, cleaner-burning compressed natural gas.
Since joining 3M 19 years ago, Kris has improved lives through her work in various areas including the Corporate Research Process Laboratory, Construction and Home Improvement Division, Optical Systems Division and Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division. She has 18 issued patents to date and her work has been recognized with a number of awards including the James Hendricks Tech Forum Excellence Award 2016, Corporate Circle of Technical Excellence and Innovation in both 2011 (Individual) and 2012 (Team), the PSI Leadership award in 2012 and Best Overall Technical Paper Award at ACMA (American Composite Manufacturer’s Association) in 2011.
Kris enjoys making scientific principles both exciting and “real” for children through 3M’s Visiting Wizards program. She has also volunteered for a number years doing therapeutic horseback riding with injured children. Her degrees are in Chemical Engineering (BS from Purdue University, MS and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado) and she holds the honor of being selected as a National Science Foundation Fellow.
Dr. Thunhorst collaborates closely between the Industrial Business Group Research and Development Laboratory to scout and research new technologies.
Mentees
Allie Weber
Bringing the Incentive Back to the Incentive Spirometer
Allie hopes to revolutionize the way people design medical equipment for children starting with the incentive spirometer.
Sara Makboul
Nano-Cellulose Beads to End Stormwater Pollution
Meet Sara. Sara invented Nano Cellulose Beads to counteract stormwater pollution in an effort to improve the quality of water. Sara plans to create her invention by using the absorbent cellulose, which will be extracted from leaf remains.
Raghav Ganesh
A Wireless, Wearable and Customizable Electronic Solution to Predict and Prevent Autistic Meltdowns.
Meet Raghav. To help those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and their caregivers, Raghav’s invention predicts and prevents Autistic Meltdowns. Monitoring physiological and environmental factors that can cause and trigger stress, Raghav’s wireless and wearable machine alerts the wearer and caregiver when any stressors rise above a certain threshold.
Jai Kumar
Solar Powered Air Purifying Window
Jai saw the Young Scientist Challenge as an opportunity to challenge him in identifying and solving a major issue in the world. Past participants inspired him and Jai was also thrilled at the prospect of working with 3M mentors.