Christopher K. Haas

Christopher K. Haas serves as an Engineering Fellow in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering, leveraging over 25 years of industry experience from 3M and Gemalto. He actively teaches core engineering courses including Fluid Mechanics, Composite Materials, and the Engineer Design Clinic sequence.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University
• BS in Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University

Dr. Haas specializes in polymer science and materials engineering, with concentrated expertise in biodegradable polymers, security document technologies, and PFAS remediation. His research bridges industrial applications and academic instruction, particularly in plastic extrusion, optical security features, and sustainable material processing. Early career work focused on renewable resource polymers and foams, while his 2001-2020 tenure at Gemalto produced novel currency substrates and identification technologies generating $250+ million revenue and 18 patents.

Though no formal scientific awards are documented beyond patent grants, his industry impact is substantial. Current research focuses on PFAS remediation at 3M facilities since 2021.

Dr. Haas mentors students through the Senior Design Clinic and Reverse Career Fair initiatives, integrating real-world engineering challenges into coursework. His industry partnerships provide students with direct exposure to manufacturing systems and product development cycles.

He contributes to the university's Design Center (Lab) infrastructure through hands-on clinic instruction and collaborates with industry partners on capstone projects addressing medical devices, aerospace components, and sustainability challenges.