Since its founding in 1989, MATECH has become recognized as a world class research and development laboratory in the areas of optical, electronic, bio-materials, and high temperature ceramic and composite materials by chemical polymerization methods. MATECH/GSM's primary goal is the development and commercialization of ultra-high-temperature and high temperature ceramic fiber and ceramic matrix composite technologies. MATECH has developed a family of preceramic polymers for the fabrication of silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride/carbide (SiNC), silicon oxycarbide (SOC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), and hafnium carbide (HfC), all for high temperature structural applications. All of these ceramic materials have been fabricated in the form of structural ceramic fibers. In addition, ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) can be densified using MATECH's preceramic polymer technology. The research and development into these materials has been made possible through contracts and grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Missile Defense Agency (administered through the U. S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command), the United States Navy (NAVAIR), the United States Air Force, the US Department of Energy (DOE), and the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program Office.