The aim is to explore the influence of photonic vs electronic friction in small nanometer-sized contacts. Friction and energy dissipation are explored by state-of-the-art force microscopy under ultrahigh vacuum conditions at variable temperatures. The influence of the order parameter in phase transitions, such as superconductive and charge density waves, is investigated in contact and non-contact mode. Dissipation via phononic degrees of freedom is explored  by the coverage of metallic and graphene samples with adsorbates. Damping on semiconductors with different doping concentrations and quantum dot systems is studied to probe the influence of electronic effects. Molecular systems in the form of single molecules or small aggregates are prepared to explore anisotropy effects and to determine the range of relevant interactions.