The Division was formed in 1987 from the amalgamation of the  Divisions of Chemical Physics and of Materials Science.

1987 - 88 
The objective of the Division of Materials Science and Technology was to develop new and improved materials as well as relevant processes and instrumentation, particularly in close collaboration with Australian Industry but also with tertiary educational research bodies.  The research was organised into four major areas: Alloy Research, Ceramics, Solid State Science and Advanced Materials Synthesis.

Despite an emphasis on well defined aims relating to industrial needs, a balance was to be maintained between problem solving, tactical research and long term strategic research designed to ensure that the Division could assist industry then and in the future.

Substantial collaborative projects were in place in fields as diverse as aerospace, advanced refractories, non-oxide engineering ceramics, characterisation of semiconductor and opto-electronic materials, optically variable devices and applied optics.         (1)

1989-90
Prospects included large collaborative projects in applied optics; a leading role in researching solid oxide fuel cells for clean, high efficiency electric power generation; a central role in the world wide commercialization of the Catpix II Optically Variable Device technology (since renamed Pixelgram); and new possiblities for research into light alloys derived form Australian raw materials for use in the automotive and manufacturing industries.    (2)

1990-92
A lack of financial support from Australian manufacturing industry led to the culling of individual research projects, which went from 22 to 16; but the four main research areas or programs remained in place.
- Alloys: Alloys and other industrial materials; optically variable devices; diamond composites, x-ray optics and instrument development.
- Ceramics: Advanced refractory ceramics; non-oxide ceramics; solid oxide fuel cell technologies.
-Solid State: Electrochemistry/surface science (corrosion and metal finishing); solid state nuclear magnetic resonance; laser spectroscopy; optical engineering (aerospace optics packages).
-Advanced Materials Synthesis: Active packaging (of horticultural products); carbonaceous products (carbon fibres); powder processing; catalytic materials.                                     (3)

1993-94
The above programs remained until 30 June 1993. On 1 July 1993, they changed to:
Ceramics and Refractories; Alloys Research and Development; Photonics; Psrticle, Fibre and Film Technologies; and Electron Beam Lithography                                              (4)



Sources:
(1)    Research Report 1987-88
(2)       "       "    1989-90
(3)       "       "    1990-92
(4)    Annual Report   1993-94
Historical agency address
Normanby Road, Clayton