Within the theoretical and computational analysis of multi-scale fracture mechanics we are devoting research efforts in the area of crack propagation in brittle and quasi-brittle materials by means of standard dissipative system analogies, advanced variational formulations, and numerical algorithms for crack growth. These studies, fueled by a long-term cooperation with the Cornell Fracture Group and more recently by a cooperation with internationally renowned enterprises, are undergoing a vibrant development. A recent theoretical investigation provided a computational breakthrough, which has the potential to track 3D crack growth in embrittled materials very efficiently and on a firm theoretical basis. Extensions have been carried out for layered materials and, most interesting, for the multi-scale and multi-physics fracture processes induced by diffusion of species in solids.