This Seventeenth Annual Report includes information briefly describing the total research activity related to the science of materials at Stanford University during the period July 1, 1977 through June 30, 1978. This report contains brief descriptions of the various individual research programs active during this period. The organization of such a large and varied compilation presents a serious problem. Many programs are cooperative and involve catholic interests, so that arrangement by subject area becomes cumbersome. Arrangement by principal investigator was therefore used. In addition to brief abstracts relating to the various research programs, including the five major Thrust group research programs supported by the NSF-MRL block grant, compilations are included of publications, doctoral dissertation, faculty and senior staff members, research associates, graduate students and degrees awarded. Finally, a name index has been added for convenience in locating references to the activities of specific individuals.