Sai Sri Nidhi Munaganuru, a Ph.D. candidate in mechanical and industrial engineering at RIT, recently showcased her research at the Three Minute Thesis competition, where she captivated the audience with her presentation titled "Can carbon composite 3D printing technology revolutionize the world?" Her compelling talk earned her first place and the People’s Choice award, along with a prize of $1,500. This event, held at the MAGIC Center’s Wegmans Theater on November 4, allows Ph.D. students to distill complex topics into engaging three-minute presentations.
Munaganuru, who hails from Hyderabad, India, is set to complete her degree this summer. Her innovative research focuses on enhancing carbon fiber technology to reduce high production costs while minimizing waste and reliance on specialized labor, potentially revolutionizing various industries. By introducing creative solutions to overcome manufacturing hurdles, her work aims to produce lightweight woven carbon fiber materials suitable for multiple applications, including aerospace, automotive, and healthcare.
Her journey began at RIT five years ago, where, with an engineering background, she expanded her research to consider the expansive possibilities of 3D printed carbon composites. "What keeps me motivated to do my research is its versatile nature," she stated. Munaganuru credits her faculty advisor, Dr. Denis Cormier, for his unwavering support and insights which invigorate her research endeavors.
Key components of her research include a five-axis 3D printer that enhances accessibility for complex shapes, software tailored to analyze non-standard surfaces, and a customized print head designed to extrude finely sized carbon fibers. This allows for a streamlined printing process that forgoes post-processing steps, facilitating highly customized production.
In August, Munaganuru presented her findings at the International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium in Austin, Texas. With broad participation from universities globally, the Three Minute Thesis competition, initiated at the University of Queensland in 2008, now includes over 900 institutions from 85 countries, fostering academic communication skills among doctoral students.
For further insight into Munaganuru’s awards and recognitions, you can visit the RIT Graduate School website.