A reduction of the interprobe distance in multiprobe and double-tip scanning tunneling microscopy to the nanometer scale has been a longstanding and technically difficult challenge. Recent multiprobe systems have allowed for significant progress by achieving distances of ~30 nm using two individually driven, traditional metal wire tips. For situations where simple alignment and fixed separation can be advantageous, we present the fabrication of on-chip double-tip devices that incorporate two mechanically fixed gold tips with a tip separation of only 35 nm. We utilize the excellent mechanical, insulating and dielectric properties of high-quality SiN as a base material to realize easy-to-implement, lithographically defined and mechanically stable tips. With their large contact pads and adjustable footprint, these novel tips can be easily integrated with most existing commercial combined STM/AFM systems.

The workability of various types of operations offshore are largely affected by waves and wave induced motions. Examples are crew transfer from crew transfer vessels or service operation vessels to offshore wind turbines for maintenance, landing of helicopters in (navy) vessels and various crane operations. Over the recent years quite some effort has been put in technology aiming to provide a real time on-board prediction of approaching waves and wave induced vessel motions some minutes in advance. Enabling crew to anticipate, thus enhancing the safety and operability of these operations. This paper addresses the performance during a field test of the system as being under development by Next Ocean enabling such predictions, based on using an off-the-shelve (noncoherent) navigation radar system as a remote wave observer. Briefly summarizing (earlier publications on) the technical approach, focus will be on results obtained from a field test where the system was validated. Good agreements between ship motions as measured by an on-board motion reference unit and predictions obtained by the wave and motion prediction system during a field test on the North Sea near the Dutch coast on a 42 m patrol vessel will be shown in the results section, from which the usefulness of the system for operational decision support can be concluded.