Influential Woman · Physics and Engineering

Barbara Kegerreis Lunde

CEO, Silver Lining

Minneapolis, MN 55410

2Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's degree in Physics Degree Master's degree in Physics from Northwestern University Degree PhD in Physics from Iowa State University (specialization in rare earth metals) Cert Professional Electrical Engineer License License No. IA 195777 Member Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) - About to be elected president of senior group Member Minnesota Renewable Energy Society - Board member Member Linden Hills Council Member Minneapolis - Board member

Her Story

About Barbara

I've worked in physics and engineering for about 70 years. I majored in physics in college, then earned a master's degree in physics from Northwestern University, and got my PhD in physics from Iowa State University focusing on rare earth metals. Early in my career, I worked at MIT in the Draper Lab on guidance systems for missiles and boats, where I got two patents. Then I spent four years working for NASA, which was a brand new agency at that time. I built and was chief engineer of two radio stations for 12 years. My last 10 years of full-time professional work was at the Federal Aviation Administration as a training specialist in the administration for space technology, what I call the rocket part of the FAA, where I met Elon Musk and Pam Melroy.

Since 1984, I've been developing and selling Silver Lining, which is underwear that shields people from electromagnetic fields. It was written up in the New York Times around 1984. The fabric is nylon coated with silver, which is wedding veil-like material, and it's quite wearable. I'm also a professional electrical engineer. I sort of retired about 12 years ago, but I've kept working and still get three W-2s.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Barbara

01What do you attribute your success to?

Grabbing opportunities as they came along and persevering.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I wouldn't advise everyone to go the route of physics and engineering because it requires a very determined personality. My granddaughter is a rising senior at University of Minnesota in electrical engineering, getting straight A's, and I'm very proud of her. She was born in Germany, and most of my genes are German. Her father is a materials engineer in Germany. Germans have a well-deserved reputation for being spot on - when they have determined to do something, they will generally do it, finish it, and don't get distracted by other things. Some people's personality isn't like that at all. I think looking at my employment record and earnings record, it's not super spectacular, but at least I've been employed most of the time, and that influenced her to pursue engineering as a career. It seems to be working for her.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Getting people interested in protecting themselves from electromagnetic fields.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

What I've loved most about my work is the application of physics to ordinary needs. I got a contract for Iowa State University from NASA about purification of rare earth materials and other metals. I just used a law of force created by magnetic fields and electric fields, and used that to support these materials as they were being purified, allowing the more purified part to separate. Because otherwise, if you didn't use those fields for support, the material being purified just collapses after a while when it gets so pure, ending the purification. It's about taking fundamental physics principles and applying them to solve real, practical problems.

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