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Stephen L Craig

William T. Miller Distinguished Professor of Chemistry
Chemistry
Box 90346, Durham, NC 27708-0346
3221 French Family Science Cen, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Research interests in Prof. Craig's group bridge physical organic and materials chemistry. Many of these interests are guided by the vision that important challenges in materials science might be better tackled not from the traditional perspective of an engineer, but rather from the molecular perspective of an organic chemist. Current interests include the design and synthesis of self-healing polymers and the use of modern mechanochemistry in new stress-responsive polymers, catalysis, and the study of transition states and reactive intermediates. These areas require an interdisciplinary and nontraditional mix of synthetic organic and polymer chemistry, single-molecule spectroscopy, supramolecular chemistry, and materials characterization. Research interests are complemented by numerous teaching and outreach activities, including: (1) hosting intensive undergraduate and high school research experiences for a diverse group of both Duke and non-Duke students; (2) exploiting effective, scalable, and low-cost mechanisms for content dissemination; (3) team-based and active learning content in the undergraduate and graduate classroom.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


William T. Miller Distinguished Professor of Chemistry · 2013 - Present Chemistry, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor in the Department of Chemistry · 2012 - Present Chemistry, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Bass Fellow · 2012 - Present Chemistry, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

In the News


Published June 22, 2023
How to Make Rubbery Materials That Can Take a Beating Without Losing Their Bounce
Published September 1, 2021
NSF Creates Polymer Chemistry Optimization Center at Duke for Future Materials
Published May 14, 2020
Duke Celebrates 70 Years of Discovery and Research at the National Science Foundation

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Recent Publications


Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy Studies of Oxy Substituent Effects on the Reactivity of gem-Dihalocyclopropane Mechanophores

Journal Article Macromolecules · June 10, 2025 Oxy-substituted gem-dihalocyclopropanes (gDHCs) have recently found utility as mechanoacids for the generation of HCl or HF following force-assisted ring opening along polymer backbones. Here, we employ single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) to quantify ... Full text Cite

Structure-property relationships for the force-triggered disrotatory ring-opening of cyclobutene.

Journal Article Chemical science · April 2025 Symmetry forbidden reactions are notoriously difficult to study experimentally, for the simple reason that their competing symmetry allowed pathways typically dominate. Covalent polymer mechanochemistry offers an opportunity to broaden access to symmetry f ... Full text Cite

John Brauman (1937–2024): Physical organic chemist, sage, and servant of science

Journal Article Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · March 25, 2025 Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


NSF-BSF: Emergent Rheology of Blends Containing Supramolecular Polymers

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2024 - 2027

Covalent Polymer Mechanochemistry

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2027

Multi-State Catalysts Modulated by Mechanical Force

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Department of Energy · 2017 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


Stanford University · 1997 Ph.D.
University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) · 1992 M.Phil.
Duke University · 1991 B.S.

External Links


Craig Research Group