Based on the analysis of features of the epoch and trends of development of materials science and technology, the highlights of materials science and technology at the turning of the 21st century are summarized as follows: (i) information functional materials will be the most active field; ( ii ) development of-high temperature, high specific strength, high specific stiffness structural materials is an eternal issue; ( iii ) development of materials for ener gy production and energy saving is an extensive subject; ( iv ) research on low-dimensional materials is the frontier of materials science and technology at present; ( v ) biomatenals are the most prospective area; ( vi ) investigation on intelligent materials and system is a direction of development for the future; (vii ) research and development of orgaue functional materials is in a state of blossom; (viii) ecomaterials will be widely emphasized; ( ix ) exploration of novel processing of synthesis and manufacture is an important basis for develop Based on the analysis of features of the epoch and trends of development of materials science and technology, the highlights of materials science and technology at the turning of the 21st century are summarized as: (i) information functional materials will be the most active field (ii) development of-high temperature, high specific strength, high specific stiffness structural materials is an eternal issue; (iii) development of materials for ener gy production and energy saving is an extensive subject; (iv) research on low-dimensional (v) biomatenals are the most prospective area; (vi) investigation on intelligent materials and system is a direction of development for the future; (vii) research and development of orgaue functional materials (viii) ecomaterials will be widely emphasized; (ix) exploration of novel processing of synthesis and manufacture is an important basis for develop