This volume collects selected papers presented and discussed during the 9th National Conference organized by the Italian Association of Materials Engineering, AIMAT from 2008 at Piano di Sorrento (Napoli, Italy). It gives a valuable representation of highlights of the research and development activities running in 21 Italian universities and research centers in the field of materials science and engineering. All the reported research topics are focused on a methodological approach that takes into account scientific issues and engineering aspects related to real applications.