the world of science and technology in the new millenium is facing scientific challenges in areas of information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and environmental science. in all these endeavors materials issues are ubiquitous and the understanding of the underpinning physics is essential. in 1993 the city university of hong kong recognized the importance of these frontier challenges as well as the need for a synergism between education and research that encompass both physics and materials, the department of physics and materials science was formed – the first of its kind in hong kong.