The topic of this thesis focuses on the design of smart materials for low-carbon applications, with an emphasis on metallic additive manufacturing. This technology has revolutionized industrial production methods by enabling the creation of complex, lightweight parts while ensuring increased precision and flexibility. This is particularly relevant in demanding sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and nuclear industries, where reliability is crucial. By integrating optical sensors into metallic structures through additive manufacturing processes, it becomes possible to perform real-time monitoring of critical parameters such as stress, temperature, and radiation doses. This enhances the safety and efficiency of operational and maintenance activities. The thesis aims to address the challenges related to the monitoring and control of infrastructure conditions, ensuring continuous monitoring of structures and precise control of environmental parameters. Additionally, the study examines the durability of materials and how embedded sensors can function in hostile environments. Finally, this research aspires to develop solutions for effective and secure remediation and decommissioning processes.