the fourth international symposium on advanced processing and manufacturing technologies for structural and multifunctional materials and systems (apmt) was held during the 34th international conference on advanced ceramics and composites, in daytona beach, fl, january 24-29, 2010. the aim of this international symposium was to discuss global advances in the research and development of advanced processing and manufacturing technologies for a wide variety of non-oxide and oxide based structural ceramics, particulate and fiber reinforced composites, and multifunctional materials. a total of 96 papers, including invited talks, oral presentations, and posters, were presented from more than 10 countries (usa, japan, germany, france, italy, slovenia, serbia, belgium, turkey, sweden, canada, china, korea, india and israel). the speakers represented universities, industry, and research laboratories. this issue contains 25 invited and contributed papers, all peer reviewed according to the american ceramic society review process. the latest developments in processing and manufacturing technologies are covered, including green manufacturing, smart processing, advanced composite manufacturing, rapid processing, joining, machining, and net shape forming technologies. these papers discuss the most important aspects necessary for understanding and further development of processing and manufacturing of ceramic materials and systems.