UPDATE: North Dakota State University Proves the Sky is the Limit in 3M Disruptive Design Challenge

Engineering students from North Dakota State University win design
challenge to build a container for emergency relief supplies using
chemical bonding and adhesive solutions

ST. PAUL, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Engineering students from North Dakota State University beat out three
other teams to claim bragging rights as the first-ever 3M Industrial
Adhesives and Tapes Disruptive Design Challenge winner. Other
participating colleges included Iowa State University, University of
Minnesota, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. The event took place at
3M headquarters in St. Paul, Minn., on Friday, April 13, 2018.

North Dakota State University took home first place following an
exemplary presentation of their team’s emergency relief container design
in 3M’s Disruptive Design Challenge. This hands-on, interactive
competition was created to expose and educate the next generation of
innovative engineers to the various uses and design benefits of chemical
bonding and adhesive solutions. Each member of the winning team took
home a $1,500 prize, as well as invaluable learning to help fuel their
careers as future engineers.

The winning team’s container survived a simulated scenario inspired by
real-world events from not-for-profit humanitarian aid organization
Direct Relief, in which medical supplies are delivered via airdrop. The
student’s container was subjected to:

• a 40-meter crane drop (approx. 150 feet to the ground) to test for
  resiliency
• a 100-yard in-hand transport to test for transportability
• a four-foot water submergence to test for waterproofing
• repurposing for a secondary use to support on the ground relief efforts

Through their container design and construction, North Dakota State
University illustrated the benefits associated with the use of 3M
industrial adhesives and tapes and solved a sticky design problem with
creativity. North Dakota State University’s winning container was a
truncated octahedron covered in a colorful and distinct geometric
design, inspired by “dazzle camouflage” – the opposite of typical
camouflage – to make sure their container would stand out in any
environment.

• The exterior of the container had flashing lights to make it visible
  in poorly lit environments.
• The container was constructed with the goal of creating an easy
  manufacturing process for replacements and building during emergencies.
• Foam inside the container could be removed and re-used to construct
  sleeping mats, pillows, and cushions in an emergency.
• The container itself had straps so it could be turned into a backpack
  and easily transported in an emergency.

North Dakota State University truly found ways to create a design that
stood out, both visually and with innovative engineering ideas, to
combat some of the biggest challenges of emergency relief.

“The ingenuity and creativity displayed by all the teams is inspiring.
We believe one of the best ways to educate young engineers about the
design and construction benefits of industrial adhesive and tapes is
through hands-on experience,” said Ty Silberhorn, Division Vice
President, 3M Industrial Adhesives & Tapes. “We are proud of all
twenty-six participating students. As these talented future engineers
get closer to entering the workplace, we hope they will draw on their
learning and knowledge and incorporate adhesives and tapes into their
design, construction and assembly challenges.”

For more information about the 3M Disruptive Design Challenge, visit www.3m-ddc.com,
#BuiltToBond.

About 3M

At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily.
With $32 billion in sales, our 91,000 employees connect with customers
all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the
world’s problems at www.3M.com or
on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.

Contacts

3M
Colleen Harris, 651-733-1566
[email protected]
or
Ketchum
Stephanie
Ross, 646-935-4249
[email protected]