Rachel Tan

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Dr. Rachel Tan is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of digital fabrication, robotics, and sustainable materials. Her work centers on developing additive manufacturing processes for natural composites, with a particular focus on wood and clay—materials traditionally considered challenging for automated production. In her most cited paper, "Developing Composite Wood for 3D-Printing" (2017, 7 citations), Tan introduced a novel material extrusion method using industrial robotics to create wood composites, laying the groundwork for large-scale, eco-friendly 3D printing. Her earlier study, "Clay Robotics: Tool making and sculpting of clay with a six-axis robot" (2016, 4 citations), demonstrated a reproducible parametric control system that translates CAD geometry directly into sculpted clay forms, merging ancient craftsmanship with algorithmic design. Though her citation counts are modest, Tan’s contributions are significant for their interdisciplinary approach—bridging materials science, robotics, and design—and for opening new pathways in sustainable construction and artistic fabrication. Her work is particularly notable for its emphasis on low-cost, accessible technologies, making advanced manufacturing more democratic.