Sonya Mantell

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About

Sonya Mantell is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of digital fabrication, ceramics, and craft, whose work redefines how traditional materials can be manipulated through robotic precision. Her key research areas include robotic fabrication, additive manufacturing, and digital ceramics—fields where she bridges ancient craft techniques with cutting-edge computational design. Mantell’s most notable contribution is her 2017 paper, "Clay Non-Wovens: Robotic Fabrication and Digital Ceramics," which has garnered 24 citations and introduced a groundbreaking methodology for creating complex, non-woven ceramic structures using robotic arms. This work challenges conventional fabrication by merging the tactile, unpredictable nature of clay with the exacting control of robotics, enabling new forms of complex patterning and additive processes. Her research has significant implications for architecture, design, and sustainable material practices, offering a model for how digital tools can honor and extend craft traditions. Mantell’s achievements include advancing the discourse on material-driven design and inspiring a new generation of researchers to explore the creative potential of robotic fabrication in ceramics.