Khachkars reach 1.5 metres in height, and have an ornamentally carved cross in the middle, resting on the symbol of a sun or wheel of eternity, accompanied by vegetative-geometric motifs, carvings of saints and animals.

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Still, Lanza believes that's enough to make the company competitive against the likes of Sun Microsystems and Symbol Technologies for leadership in the space.

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The researchers used their technique to create an image of the sun inspired by the drawings of Robert Fludd, a 17th-century alchemist (the sun is the alchemists' symbol for gold).

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For example, Sun Microsystems traded under the symbol JAVA, one of its chief software programs.

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"It's a symbol of our eternal devotion, " Britain's The Sun tabloid quoted Lesya as saying.

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In this August 6, 2009 file photo, the sun is reflected on the facade of the European Central Bank ECB Tower, seen through the Euro symbol, in Frankfurt, central Germany.

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