Dr. Andy Ouderkirk, Corporate Scientist for 3M’s Electronics
Markets Materials Division, has received the 2013 R&D Magazine Innovator of
the Year Award. This award honors Ouderkirk for demonstrated skills in
leadership and innovation.
He is cited for excellence in research for inventing
advanced optical films used in consumer electronics and furthering practical
development processes. Ouderkirk’s research led to the creation of 3M
Multilayer Optical Film with light management properties that conserve energy.
The thin film is used in smart phones, computer displays, e-books, tablets and
other consumer electronics devices to help improve battery life.