[en] This survey of recent developments using beams of heavy ions outside the field of nuclear physics is divided into two major parts, atomic physics and solid state science. The atomic structure of one- and two-electron atoms and then multielectron atoms is considered first. Heavy-ion beams have revealed a number of exceedingly interesting aspects of atomic collision processes, including quasi-molecular x rays, multiple collisions, inelastic processes involving ions in high charge states, and special modes of excitation. Heavy ions have been used in condensed materials studies principally in two ways, in investigations of the electromagnetic fields in solids and in alteration of the properties of solids by ion implantation and damage. Channeling and hyperfine fields are aspects of the former which are discussed. The importance of hydrogen-like heavy ions for tests of quantum electrodynamics is also examined. (36 figures, 1 table) (U.S.)