Abstract: A testing apparatus has an integral load cell element. The apparatus may be used to characterize a property of a sample on, for example, the mesoscale. The apparatus has a frame, at least one actuator and at least one displacement sensor. The apparatus may further include a controller and data acquisition equipment. At least one portion of the frame defines at least one flexure element that is capable of being displaced, by the actuator or a sample, along a rectilinear axis. The frame defining the flexure element has a platform and at least two parallel beams or springs supporting the platform. The portion of the frame defining the flexure element tends to restrict displacement of the sample rectilinearly along an axis that is parallel to the applied force. The arrangement also provides a counter-rotating associated with a cantilever spring assembly. An indentation testing apparatus is has the capability to indent a sample with an indenter.