This Thematic Series discusses numerous experimental methods for the characterization of the mechanical properties of biological materials and surfaces at the micro- and nanoscale. The Thematic Series combines approaches from biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering and therefore represents an example of modern interdisciplinary science. Due to this latter reason, the contributions from this Thematic Series will be of interest to both engineers and physicists, who use inspirations from biology to design technical materials and systems, as well as to biologists, who apply physical and engineering approaches to understand how biological systems function.

See also the Thematic Series:
Biological and bioinspired adhesion and friction
Biomimetic materials