Abstract: There is provided a smart aquaculture growth and health monitoring system and method for monitoring the growth and health of an aquatic species present in an aquaculture growth habitat. The system comprises a georeferenced location beacon of the growth habitat, a sample container to sample water and aquatic species from the growth habitat and being configured to permit an electronic device having camera such as a smart phone to acquire digital visual data on said sample, a processor is communicatively linkable to the electronic device and optionally to a communications network, the processor being operable to receive the digital visual data; determine, based on the digital visual data, growth and/or health parameters of the aquatic species in the sample; and to retransmit data on the growth and/or health parameters of the aquatic species back to the electronic device.

Abstract: There is provided a spectrophotometric system and method for measuring the concentration of discrete water-soluble compounds or minerals in the water of a live aquaculture basin. The system comprises a portable wireless spectrophotometer with an optical code reader for automatic identification of water sample cuvettes. The cuvettes bear an optical code identifier and are preloaded with at least one solid color indicating reagent dry tablet. The cuvettes are internally sized and shaped for a smaller tablet type to fall to the bottom and a larger tablet type not to not fall to the bottom and vertically rest at an intermediate height within the cuvette interior thereby creating vertical separation between the tablet types and avoiding cross-reactions or degradation while in storage or transport. The system can also include a mobile application for displaying the spectra results and for providing recommendations or e-commerce purchase means for water quality improvement.

Abstract: There is provided a smart aquaculture grow out system for aquatic species, the system includes a feeder adapted to store aquafeed, the feeder comprising a feed dispensing nozzle, a feed dispenser operable to measure and project aquafeed via the feed dispensing nozzle, and a controller operatively being operable to selectively activate and deactivate the feed dispenser. A set of sensors are operable to acquire sensor data comprising water quality parameters of a pond adjacent to the feeder and images of aquatic species in the pond. A processor receives the sensor data of the grow out system, and determines, based on the sensor data of the grow out system, a metered quantity of aquafeed to provide. The processor transmits a control signal to the controller causing activation of the feed dispenser to measure and project the metered quantity of aquafeed via the feed dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: An Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method/system for irrigating a field using a pump comprising an outlet supplying water to the field and an inlet connected to a water source is disclosed. The method/system comprises a sensor placed at a location in the field for sensing a water depth below a surface of the field and transmitting the water depth to a controller located remotely from the sensing location using a wireless connection. The controller enables the pump when the sensed water depth is below a threshold depth and disables the pump when the sensed water depth is above a threshold depth.

Abstract: An insect monitoring system (ISM) and related e-commerce system are provided. The ISM includes an insect attracting light, an intake, an exhaust, an airflow conduit between intake and exhaust, an insect collecting mesh in the conduit, a fan for generating airflow in the airflow conduit, and one or more cameras pointed on the insect collecting mesh. The insect attracting light and the fan are activated such that insects are drawn into the intake and trapped against the insect collecting mesh. The images of the insect collecting mesh are processed and analyzed using a machine learning algorithm to recognize a type and number of insects. Recommendations are provided based on the analysis. In some aspects, the insect monitoring system is connected to electronic client devices over a communication network. The electronic devices are provided with an e-commerce application for sale of products and services responsive to the recommendations.

Abstract: There is provided a nitrogen fertilizer granule in which the nitrogen release can be timed and the nitrogen release rate can be controlled according to the needs of the plants to be fertilized. The smart release nitrogen-containing fertilizer granule comprises a nitrogen-containing fertilizer core; an organic functional layer covering the core, wherein the organic functional layer comprises at least one functional organic compound that is an enzyme inhibitor, a microbial suppressor, a phosphorus solubilizer, and/or a plant hormone; a controlled release layer covering the organic functional layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.

Abstract: There is provided a smart release potash fertilizer granule comprising a potash core; an extended release layer covering the potash core, wherein the extended release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles and at least one water-soluble organic acid or water-soluble organic carboxylate salt; a controlled release layer covering the extended release layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method and system for irrigating a field adjacent a watercourse is disclosed comprising a plurality of pumps along the watercourse and measuring from time to time at a plurality of measuring locations the salinity, the pH, the temperature and the turbidity of the water. The measuring locations are different from the pumping locations. A real time salinity, pH, temperature and turbidity at the pumping locations is predicted from the measured values and the pumps selectively disabled or enabled on the predicted salinity, pH, temperature and/or the turbidity. Additionally, there is disclosed an Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method/system for irrigating a field using a pump comprising an outlet supplying water to the field and an inlet connected to a water source. The method/system comprises a sensor placed at a location in the field for sensing a water depth below a surface of the field and transmitting the water depth to a controller located remotely from the sensing location using a wireless connection.

Abstract: A method and system for irrigating a field adjacent a watercourse is disclosed comprising a plurality of pumps along the watercourse and measuring from time to time at a plurality of measuring locations the salinity, the pH, the temperature and the turbidity of the water. The measuring locations are different from the pumping locations. A real time salinity, pH, temperature and turbidity at the pumping locations is predicted from the measured values and the pumps selectively disabled or enabled on the predicted salinity, pH, temperature and/or the turbidity.

Abstract: There is provided a nitrogen fertilizer granule in which the nitrogen release can be timed and the nitrogen release rate can be controlled according to the needs of the plants to be fertilized. The smart release nitrogen-containing fertilizer granule comprises a nitrogen-containing fertilizer core; an organic functional layer covering the core, wherein the organic functional layer comprises at least one functional organic compound that is an enzyme inhibitor, a microbial suppressor, a phosphorus solubilizer, and/or a plant hormone; a controlled release layer covering the organic functional layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.

Abstract: A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic interfaces such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.

Abstract: There is provided a smart release potash fertilizer granule comprising a potash core; an extended release layer covering the potash core, wherein the extended release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles and at least one water-soluble organic acid or water-soluble organic carboxylate salt; a controlled release layer covering the extended release layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.

Abstract: A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic interfaces such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.

Abstract: A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic interfaces such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.

Abstract: An electricity consumption meter with piggy backed e-commerce is disclosed wherein a wide area network (WAN) and an application on a smartphone or the like can be used to retrieve a measured electricity consumption from an electricity consumption meter while accessing an e-commerce system. The application displays the retrieved electricity consumption together with at least one product, and further wherein the at least one product may be purchased from the e-commerce system using the application.

Abstract: A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic interfaces such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.

Abstract: A water meter/e-commerce is disclosed wherein a wide area network (WAN) and an application on a smartphone or the like can be used to retrieve a measured water consumption from a water meter while accessing an e-commerce system. The application displays the retrieved water consumption together with at least one product, and further wherein the at least one product may be purchased from the e-commerce system using the application.

Abstract: A laminated lithographic printing plate comprising an aluminum layer having a first side and a second side, an aluminum oxide layer coating the first side aluminum layer, optionally a second aluminum oxide layer coating the second side of the aluminum layer, an image forming layer coating the first aluminum oxide layer, an adhesive layer adhering to the second side of the aluminum layer or to said second aluminum oxide layer when second aluminum oxide layer is present, and a base layer coating the adhesive layer is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for irrigating a field adjacent a watercourse is disclosed comprising a plurality of pumps along the watercourse and measuring from time to time at a plurality of measuring locations the salinity, the pH, the temperature and the turbidity of the water. The measuring locations are different from the pumping locations. A real time salinity, pH, temperature and turbidity at the pumping locations is predicted from the measured values and the pumps selectively disabled or enabled on the predicted salinity, pH, temperature and/or the turbidity. Additionally, there is disclosed an Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method/system for irrigating a field using a pump comprising an outlet supplying water to the field and an inlet connected to a water source. The method/system comprises a sensor placed at a location in the field for sensing a water depth below a surface of the field and transmitting the water depth to a controller located remotely from the sensing location using a wireless connection.

Abstract: A cloud based authentication method for determining the authenticity of a plurality of a typically counterfeited product each held in a sealed product packaging and for sale to a consumer. A unique identifier is created for each package, attached to the package and stored in the cloud. The identifier is subsequently acquired at different stages, compared with the identifier stored in the cloud and a change in status of the product associated with the identifier made.