Patent ID: 8266969

Claim:
A method for characterizing properties of a specimen comprising one of a micro-scale or nano-scale dimension, the method comprising: attaching a first end of the specimen to a first probe; attaching a second end of the specimen, which is spaced apart from the first end by an intermediate portion, to a second probe that extends from a transducer; causing a corresponding displacement of the specimen attached between the first probe and the second probe, wherein, prior to causing the corresponding displacement of the specimen, the method further comprises aligning the specimen to be substantially parallel with a first axis, wherein the causing the corresponding displacement of the specimen further comprises displacing of the second probe relative to the first probe to provide a corresponding change in a length of the specimen attached between the first probe and the second probe along a direction that is substantially parallel with the first axis; acquiring at least one parameter associated with the specimen during the corresponding displacement based on at least one electrical output signal from the transducer; and determining mechanical properties of the specimen based on the at least one parameter.