Samuel G. Dunning is a chemist specializing in high-pressure chemical synthesis, mechanochemical processes, and the design of novel materials with applications in energy storage and gas capture. His research explores the formation and characterization of carbon nanothreads and metal-organic frameworks, utilizing advanced spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques to push the boundaries of materials science.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin Master of Science in Chemistry, University of Sheffield
Roles
Member, American Chemical Society Member, European High Pressure Research Group
Courses Taught
Senior Research Organic Chemistry II Experimental Organic Chemistry II Organic Chemistry I Experimental Organic Chemistry I General Chemistry I General Chemistry I Lab
Expertise
Research Focus / Works in Progress
High-pressure chemical synthesis; mechanochemical synthesis; materials synthesis and characterization; metal-organic frameworks; vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman); powder and single-crystal x-ray crystallography.
Leadership
Postdoctoral Fellow in Chemical Sciences, Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, 2022-24 Postdoctoral Fellow, Carnegie Institution for Science, 2021-24
Impact
Selected Publications
Dunning, S. G., Hari, A., Zhu, L., Chen, B., Cody, G. D., Romi, S., Zhang, D., & Strobel, T. A. (2025). Double-core nanothread formation from α-Furil via pressure-induced planarization pathway. Chemical Science, 16(9), 4144–4151. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4sc07412b
Dunning, S. G., Chen, B., Zhu, L., Cody, G. D., Chariton, S., Prakapenka, V.B., Zhang, D., & Strobel, T. A. (2023). Synthesis and post-processing of chemically homogeneous nanothreads from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid. Angewandte Chemie, 62(14). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202217023
Dunning, S. G., Gupta, N.K., Reynolds III, J.E., Sagastury-Breña, M., Flores, J.G., Martínez-Ahumada, E., Sánchez-González, E., Lynch, V.M., Gutiérrez-Alejandre, A., Aguilar-Pliego, J., Kim, K.S., Ibarra, I.A., & Humphrey, S.M. (2022). Mn-CUK-1: A flexible MOF for SO2, H2O and H2S capture. Inorganic Chemistry, 61(38), 15037-15044. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c02012
Dunning, S. G., Reynolds III, J.E., Walsh, K.M., Kristek, D.J., Lynch, V.M., Kunal, P., & Humphrey, S.M. (2019). Direct, one-pot syntheses of MOFs decorated with low-valent metal-phosphine complexes. Organometallics, 38(18), 3406-3411. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.organomet.9b00319
Selected Presentations
Dunning, S. G. (2024). Carbon nanothreads: Controlling organic polymerization reactions under pressure. Gordon Research Conference, Holderness, New Hampshire.
Dunning, S. G. (2024). The role of x-ray diffraction in understanding carbon nanothread formation.HU/UDC Crystallography Workshop, Washington, D.C.
Dunning, S. G. (2023). Investigating the role of heteroatoms in carbon nanothread formation. 28th AIRAPT & 60th EHPRG International Conference, Edinburgh, U.K.
Selected Grants
Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. (2022). Weaving diamond nanothreads into multidimensional porous polymers.
Recognitions
IUCr Young and Early Career Scientists Award, International Union of Crystallography, 2022
