A structural unit consisting of various groups of elements is called an "element-block." The design and synthesis of new element-blocks,polymerization of these blocks,and development of methods of forming higher-order structures and achieving hierarchical interface control in order to yield the desired functions are expected to encourage the creation of new polymeric materials that share,at a high level,electronic,optical,and magnetic properties not achievable with conventional organic polymeric materials as well as forming properties of molding processability and flexible designability that inorganic materials lack.