Micromechanical instruments with electrical and mechanical characterization capabilities for data acquisition and testing in the nature of indentation, lateral force, scratch, and fatigue testing, scanning probe imaging and/or wear testing of surfaces, coatings, membranes, thin films, MENS/NEMS devices, biological materials and/or material interfaces, with the testing instruments being comprised of a probe, transducer, electrostatic controller, electrical source and meter, and computer firmware