In the area of Innovative Materials and Structures, DICAM's research activity is mainly focused on the study of the mechanics of solids and structures, a discipline that for decades has been confined to the linear regime and for elements ranging in size from millimetres to metres. With the advancement of modelling and experimental capabilities, it is now possible to overcome these limitations by designing and developing high-performance materials and structures, also thanks to nanotechnology and bio-inspiration. Consistently, the focus will be on recent frontier achievements in nanomechanics, bio-inspired materials, non-linear mechanics, and the analysis of intelligent, resilient, connected, sustainable structural and infrastructural systems with a focus on complex multiscale and multiphysical phenomena. The strategic objective is to further strengthen DICAM's leadership at the national and international levels in the mechanics of solids and structures, in particular in nanomechanics, bio-inspired materials, extremely deformable materials and structures, and in the analysis of intelligent, resilient and sustainable structural and infrastructural systems.