SIMT always concentrates on science and technology researches in the fields of measurement technology, inspection technology, testing technology and methods, technical specifications and standards, and application technology, etc. It carries out about 50 items of research projects every year. Since 1980's, SIMT has accomplished more than 1000 items of research achievements, in which 4 items has been conferred the National Science and Technology Progress Awards, 150 items received the Science and Technology Progress Awards conferred by relative Ministries of the country and the Shanghai Municipal Government. Many achievements are the first ones in China, reaching the then international advanced level.

SIMT always persists in combining tightly the science and technology with the country's economy development, actively participating in the activities of solving key technical points in the constructions of the country's and city's significant projects. It has taken an active part in the production of the country's first self-developed watch, localization in the production of silicon material for large scale integrated circuit, and the Santana vehicle, etc. It has also made outstanding contributions to the constructions of many significant projects and modern public facilities such as the Nanpu Bridge, the Jinmao Tower, the Shanghai International Shipping Center, the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and the Pudong International Airport, etc.

SIMT continuously obtains achievements in the development and establishment of primary standards of measurement and public standards of measurement, in which some have reached the advanced international or national level, contributing to the improvement of the country's measurement verification and testing technology. SIMT always concentrates on the research and development of reference materials. More than 368 items of national first or second class reference materials have been approved by the country and put into public use.