The 11^th annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition took place on Wednesday, April 7, 2026. This competition challenges students to effectively explain their research in three minutes for a non-specialist audience. 12 students who already participated in five preliminary rounds competed in the Institute’s final round. Among the five students who were named winners and received a travel grant was MSE’s Hari Sridhara, a PhD candidate. 

Sridhara was awarded the People’s Choice Award for his presentation Solid-State Batteries: A Stronger and Safer Energy Storage Technology. Sridhara hopes that his work contributes to future design and development that can eventually put a solid-state battery into commercial use. “Batteries are certainly going to be an essential technology in the coming years, and any improvements will be welcomed in the future,” said Sridhara. “There are a lot of steps that exist between making a novel, functioning battery in the lab and having it be commercially viable.”

The research presented at 3MT is meant to solve real-world problems. Sridhara was intrigued by the opportunity to understand, research, and study the importance of advancing energy storage technologies. Sridhara said, “Any work that has a practical application and tangible outcome has always been interesting. Being able to assemble, test, and analyze different batteries as part of my day-to-day activities is about as practical as it can get.”

Making it to Georgia Tech’s final round of the 3MT is already commendable. However, leaving as one of the winners is an even greater accomplishment. Sridhara was “thrilled” to have won the People’s Choice Award. What makes this award unique is that it is voted on by the audience in attendance. “It was a lovely reminder of the support systems I have here at Georgia Tech, with friends, coworkers, teammates, and family tuning in and cheering for me at this stage of the competition,” said Sridhara.

Sridhara’s passion for effective scientific communication was evident in this year’s 3MT competition, and MSE is so proud of his accomplishment. For a list of the Spring 2026 winners, visit the College of Engineering’s website.