Structural defects in solids: simple and linear defects, vacances, dislocations. Steady and unsteady diffusion mechanisms, Fick's laws. Mechanical properties of metals and alloys, stress-strain behaviour, elastic and plastic deformation. Dislocations and mechanical properties. Yield: fracture, fatigue, stress and temperature effects. Phase diagrams and Gibbs free energy curves. Fe-C system. Phase transformations, structural evolution and mechanical properties. Nanostructured and nanosized systems, preparation techniques, structural and thermodynamic conditions and potential applicative properties.