Abstract: An apparatus used to store, track and disseminate documents related to a food product is a repository that comprises electronic document generator, database, and query module is. The electronic document generator receives a document related to a food product and certificates related to the food product. The electronic document generator generates electronic document based on the document including the product information and also generates electronic copies of the certificates. The database is coupled to the electronic document generator and stores the electronic copies of the electronic document and the certificates. The query module is coupled to the database and receives a query related to the food product. The query includes data generated by document recognition or by QR Code scanning. The query module provides access to the electronic document and electronic copies of the certificates associated with the query. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling, reducing and preventing beach erosion comprises an elongated barrier formed of an apertured support grid and mesh material, where the mesh material is permeable to water but not to sand and where the mesh material comprises a number of flaps able to open only in the on-shore direction, such that water flow in the on-shore direction will cause the flaps to open, but water flow in the off-shore direction will cause the flaps to close against the support grid. Water will permeate through mesh apertures in the mesh material but sand particles will be retained on the on-shore side of the mesh material.

Abstract: Optical coupling between the end of a laser (10) mounted on a silica motherboard (12) and an optical fibre (11) is effected with the aid of a silicon platform (14) to which the end of the fibre (11) is secured. The motherboard (12) and fibre platform (11) are crystallographically etched to provide complementary mating profiles with a clearance of less than 10 .mu.m when alignment is established. While that alignment is maintained, resin (23) is introduced between motherboard and the fibre platform, and is cured. The minimal thickness of the cured resin minimises misalignments caused by resin shrinkage.

Abstract: A process for use in manufacturing opto-electronic components in opto-electronic hybrid module form. V-grooves (42) are provided by anisotropic etching techniques in a silicon substrate (41). Electrical ground planes (43) and interconnects (46, 49) are provided on dielectric layers (44, 50) with interconnections between them by way of vias (45, 51). Solder wettable pads (52) are provided on the outermost dielectric layer (50). Solder bumps (54) for use in a flip-chip bonding technique are provided by a wet forward technique. Components such as a laser array (30) are bonded to the solder bumps in accurate alignment therewith.

Abstract: A method of making a multilayer printed circuit upon a single crystal substrate for the mounting thereon of a semiconductor laser and an optical fibre pigtail located in a crystallographically etched groove in the substrate wherein all the photolithographic processing required to create the multilayer printed circuit is performed prior to the etching of the groove.

Abstract: A fibre optic gyroscope arrangement having a nulling feedback control loop, the gyroscope including means 40 for varying wavelength of the light source 41 for a predetermined period of time at switch-on of the gyroscope and means for subsequently operating the light source 41 at a fixed wavelength.