Understanding the unique properties of nano-phase materials requires analysis of the mechanical properties at the nano-scale. Since many such materials involve the inclusion of small particulates in a polymer matrix, it is important to be able to analyze the viscoelastic behavior of the matrix in the region adjacent to the particulates, the so called â?ointerphaseâ? region. Scanning probes have the potential to be very important for this type of analysis. However, such applications are made difficult because of the critical role played by contact mechanics in the process, and at the nano-scale this quantity is not directly observable. In this presentation, an example of such an analysis is outlined involving a classic viscoelastic material, which is often referred to as a â?osolid liquidâ? or â?odilatantâ? material, but is more commonly known under the popular name â?oSilly PuttyTMâ? (trademark: Binney and Smith). This material is unusual because it exhibits elastic behavior over short experimental times (high Deborah numbers) and viscous properties over long times (low Deborah numbers). The results are presented in terms of transient relaxation measurements, using both lyophilic and lyophobic tips, followed by a Fourier analysis to obtain the broad-range frequency response. These results are directly compared with more classical bulk rheological measurements. While these initial results are not done at the true nano-scale, the discussion will include an assessment of the potential, and contact-mechanics difficulties, involved in proceeding to that regime. Sandia is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin company, for the DOE under Contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.