Michael Determan is Senior Technical Manager at 3M’s Corporate Research Materials Laboratory. He leads a team of 3M researchers responsible for developing the company's portfolio of sustainable, bio-based materials; high performance coatings; and new adhesive materials for a variety of industrial, electronic, and health care applications.
This includes the development of a new pressure sensitive adhesive technology for health care products that reduce the risk of medical adhesive-related skin injury. He was the primary technical leader for the initial commercialization of this technology — which was recognized by Popular Science magazine with a ‘Best of What’s New’ award in 2011, and an Edison Award in 2012. 3M also honored Michael with its Circle of Technical Excellence and Innovation Award in recognition of his work on Gentle-to-Skin Silicone Adhesive technology.
In all, Michael is an inventor on 13 granted patents, co-author of seven journal articles, and a book chapter. He is an alumnus of Iowa State University, where he earned BS degrees in chemical engineering and economics, and his PhD in chemical engineering.