Engineering Library Blog

2005-10-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

SELECTED PERIODICAL INDEXES AVAILABLE TO UNL LIBRARY PATRONS

For more information, View Subject Listings of UNL Periodical Indexes at: http://www.unl.edu/libr/resources/jai.shtml

Compendex
Inspec
IEL (IEE/IEE Electronic Library)
SciFinder Scholar
Web of Science
Academic Universe
Business Source Premier
Transport
Water Resources Abstracts

2005-10-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

SCHOLARLY RESOURCES AND INDEXES AVAILABLE ONLINE THAT ARE USEFUL TO THE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER

• GoogleScholar – indexes scholarly information, including many scholarly journals. http://scholar.google.com
• Organization Web sites – professional organization to which you belong. See summary on this Blog site.
• USPTO Web site http://uspto.gov United States patent and trademark information.
• European, Japanese, and other patents - http://ep.espacenet.com
• National Library of Medicine’s PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi RSS feeds can be used for automatic tracking and updating of search results. You can also save searches on the NLM server and set up email alerts when new journals are published or new articles are published on a specified subject.
• Institutional Repositories – many educational and governmental entities keep an archive of scholarly work produced by their personnel. Read “Institutional Repositories: Hidden Treasures” in Information Today, October 31, 2005 at : http://www.infotoday.com/searcher/may04/drake.shtml Access through individual university Web sites. Many are indexed by Google.
• Government technical reports and other information are available through agency Web sites, such as http://epa.gov, http://energy.gov.
• Research data freely available online. For example,
o Center for International Earth Science Information Network http://www.ciesin.org
o NASA’s Global Change Master Directory http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/
o Map and Biosphere Program http://www.rmrs.nau.edu/usamab/
o National Biological Information Infrastructure Program http://www.nbii.gov
o Syracuse Research Corporation’s Environmental Fate Database http://www.syrres.com/esc/efdb.htm
o StreamNet Project of the Columbia River Basin, StreamNet Library http://www.fishlib.org/

Read more information available about these data resources in Online Ecological and Environmental Data, Virginia Baldwin, ed. The Haworth Information Press, 2004.

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

• Corporate Library subscriptions.
• Many University Library subscriptions and resources are available to the public by going to the library and making use of them. Some, such as SciFinder Scholar are restricted to use only by UNL affiliates.
• Articles not freely available to you online may be purchased or obtained through InterLibrary Loan from your area public library.

2005-10-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE PATENT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM http://www.uspto.gov

Three major classifications for utility patents:
(1) General and Mechanical - Examples
• Class 137 Fluid Handling
• Class 198 Conveyors: Power-Driven
• Class 297 Chairs and Seats

(2) Chemical - Examples
• Class 260 Chemistry of Carbon Compounds
• Class 435 Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology

(3) Electrical - Examples
• Class 363 Electric Power Conversion Systems
• Class 369 Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval
• Class 455 Telecommunications

Index to the U.S. Patent Classification System http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/classification/uspcindex/indextouspc.htm

2005-10-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

Value of Information Sources to Engineers – Case Histories

From the Elsevier report: “The Role of Information in Innovation: 2005” Case Histories Report.

The source document for the study is available at: http://eld.lib.ucdavis.edu/conf/05/Role_of_Information_in_Innovation.ppt and from the Elsevier Engineering Information Web site at:
http://www.ei.org/Innovation_Brochure.pdf

• Type of Business: Automotive Manufacturer.
• On: Automotive validation techniques.
• Problem or Issue Faced: Steel pit /paint issues.
• What Was Learned From Tools: Updated techniques.
• Applications of Info: New equipment.
• How Info Tools Contributed: Found a new surface evaluation technique.

• Type of Business: Automotive Manufacturer.
• Research/Process/Product Worked On: Research for new polymeric materials for automotive applications, in order to improve performance, durability or address comfort and safety issues.
• Problem or Issue Faced: Knowing where the forefront of a certain technology is essential to determine what needs to be done to reach your objective in the development of new information or new products.
• What Was Learned From Tools: Status of theory and applications, in my area of interest.
• Applications of Info: Modified and optimized my research efforts.
• How Info Tools Contributed: Accelerated research efforts.

• Type of Business: Automotive Manufacturer.
• Research/Process/Product Worked On: Magnetoelastic materials applied to automotive sensors.
• Problem or Issue Faced: Need for low-cost magnetic sensing devices.
• What Was Learned From Tools: We are far ahead of our competition.
• Applications of Info: Redirected efforts into a more productive area.
• How Info Tools Contributed: Discovered that competitors' technology was less effective than that we use.

• Type of Business: Computer or Peripherals Manufacturer.
• Research/Process/Product Worked On: Application of semiconductor nanocrystals in electronic devices.
• Problem or Issue Faced: Mechanisms of energy in the nanocrystals.
• What Was Learned From Tools: We learned about state of the knowledge when the project was started.
• Applications of Info: Helped select directions interesting for further research. Accelerated learning process of the group involved in the project. Helped to generate new ideas based on the existing information. Helped to avoid directions already pursued and advanced by the community
• How Info Tools Contributed: Relying on the information found with help of the R&D research tools allowed to avoid duplication of existing results - significant time saving that allowed faster focus on the new and promising directions.

• Type of Business: Manufacturer of Electronic Products
• Research/Process/Product Worked On: Medical electronics.
• Problem or Issue Faced: Applying other work on transducers to our work.
• What Was Learned From Tools: Piezioelectric technology might be applicable.
• Applications of Info: We pursued a new design that works better than previous designs.
• How Info Tools Contributed: It provided encouragement on our approach.

• Type of Business: Scientific/Medical Instrument Manufacturer.
• Research/Process/Product Worked On: New applications for our technology.
• Problem or Issue Faced: General information search on above.
• What Was Learned From Tools: What persons in different fields were using our technology for.
• Applications of Info: Broadened the scope of our marketing activities.
• How Info Tools Contributed: Found applications we were not aware of, outside our normal field.

• Type of Business: Scientific/Medical Instrument Manufacturer.
• Research/Process/Product Worked On: DNA sequencing technology.
• Problem or Issue Faced: Reduce cost or improve process.
• What Was Learned From Tools: About work done on a particular problem in DNA sequencing technology.
• Applications of Info: Idea for a possible instrument.
• How Info Tools Contributed: Found information on a key step in what I was interested in doing.

• Type of Business: Scientific/Medical Instrument Manufacturer.
• Research/Process/Product Worked On: A steerable dialator for interventional cardiac procedures.
• Problem or Issue Faced: Patent infringement and poor prototype performance.
• What Was Learned From Tools: We were able to review existing patents. Determined that a material change was required to improve performance.
• Applications of Info: Utilized a material with higher yield strength.
• How Info Tools Contributed: The research accelerated the development process by minimizing the design iterations.

• Type of Business: Chemical Processor
• Research/Process/Product Worked On: Zeolite synthesis.
• Problem or Issue Faced: Trying to find a new method of synthesis.
• What Was Learned From Tools: Thought beyond what I read.
• Applications of Info: Came up with new method and obtained a patent.
• How Info Tools Contributed: New synthesis path found, lead to other ideas.

• Type of Business: Plastic Products Manufacturer.
• Research/Process/Product Worked On: New-to-world product.
• Problem or Issue Faced: Needed to know state of background technology.
• What Was Learned From Tools: Technical approaches tried or proposed by others.
• Applications of Info: Eliminated dead ends and duplicate effort.
• How Info Tools Contributed: Research accelerated; costs of program reduced; several new directions arose for consideration.

2005-10-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Excerpt:
http://www.asme.org/ 10/28/05 and 1/30/2007

ASME Library http://www.asme.org/pdf/

Engineering Ethics: http://files.asme.org/ASMEORG/Governance/3675.pdf
ASME has an "Ethics Center: http://www.asme.org/NewsPublicPolicy/Ethics/Ethics_Center.cfm

Student Membership: $25.00
Note: From January through May, Student dues are discounted/prorated from $25 down to $12.
Student Member - Free Limited Membership Option
available during first year in college only
(You will be eligible for all membership benefits except subscriptions to Mechanical Engineering magazine and ASME News.
Publications received with membership:
 ME Magazine
 ASME News
 ME Today
 Mechanical Advantage
 The Mark
Capitol Update
 ASME Screensaver
20% off other publications and books
Up to 5 free subscriptions to technical divisions/groups

2005-10-28T17:04:00.000-07:00

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.)

Excerpt:
http://www.ieee.org/portal/site 10/28/05

Student Membership:
Half year - $15
NEW applications received between 1 March and 15 August 2006 will automatically be processed for half-year membership ending 31 December 2006 at the half-year dues rates. Exception is when the applicant specifically requests their application be processed for the full year. However, we cannot guarantee availability of back issues of all publications for the first half of the calendar year.
Full year - $30
Membership in IEEE's Technical Societies involves additional dues.

Publications received with membership:
 Access IEEE Spectrum and other IEEE Publications free, as well as any IEEE abstract/citation record in IEEE Xplore(R).
 Find an IEEE sponsored or co-sponsored conference with the Conference Database Search. Many IEEE conferences offer online registration.
 Get IEEE journal and transaction papers, magazine articles, and conference papers and documents from thousands of publishers via email or fax through the Ask*IEEE document delivery service.
 Search the IEEE History Center library and archives for information on electrical and computer engineering and their roles in modern society.

2005-10-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

IIE- Institute of Industrial Engineers

Excerpt:
http://www.iienet.org/ 10/28/05

IIE Resource Library http://www.iienet.org/public/articles/index.cfm?cat=1082

Student Membership:
(annual dues-$30) are entitled to vote within chapters, societies, divisions, and interest groups and may hold any chapter, society, division, and interest group office, except the most senior office of that group.

Publications received with membership:

Industrial Engineer, the award-winning member magazine, is delivered to your office or home every month, full of hot topics, new techniques, and informed opinions. You can also read it online.

Magazines and journals in addition to Industrial Engineer include a management magazine, a refereed research journal, and a peer-reviewed publication on engineering economy.

eBrief Newsletter is a succinct monthly compendium of industry news and IIE updates.

IIEnet.org is a repository of IE knowledge, technical articles, news, and links. It’s also the place to connect with peers.

2005-10-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

AGC (Associated General Contractors)

Excerpt:
http://www.agc.org/index.ww 10/28/05

To become a member of AGC of America, you must become a member of your local chapter. Once you become a member of the chapter in your state, you will automatically become a member of AGC of America. To locate the chapter nearest you, click on your state below to see what chapters are in your area. If you would like additional information, please fill out our form which will be forwarded to the local Chapter.
Local Membership Dues: $400.00 per year

National Associate Membership Dues:

Supplier/Service Provider (SP) $125.00 per year
Specialty Contractor Member (SC) $150.00 per year

General Contractor Membership Dues:

Minimum of $750.00 per year, Maximum of $12,000 per year

Publications received with membership:
AGC members receive a 11-month subscription to CONSTRUCTOR, The Construction Management Magazine, as well as a listing in one of the premier references for construction buyers, the AGC Membership Directory, both in its paper and online versions.
Discounts on other publications

2005-10-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers)

Excerpt:
http://www.asce.org/asce.cfm 10/05/05

ASCE Online Research Library http://www.ascelibrary.org/

ASCE Student Membership
JOIN NOW-FOR FREE!
• Apply for new or reinstated ASCE student membership (you must currently be enrolled in a college or university in order to qualify for student membership)
Publications received with membership:
• Complimentary subscriptions to Civil Engineering and ASCE News
• Research journals available online
• Books available at a significant member discount
• The new ASCE Online Proceedings includes more than 60,000 pages of the latest practical applications in the field!
• Civil Engineering Database - an electronic information retrieval service for all ASCE publications published since 1973, with more than 80,000 bibliographic and abstracted records
• Video Library, with videos on various engineering topics
• An enhanced ASCE web site, including an e-newsletter and full text of ASCE News and Civil Engineering
• CERF, the world's recognized "facilitator, coordinator and integrator" for research in the design and construction industry
• New Cybrarian Service that can help find background information or research data for reports and projects

Alerting System by e-mail:
CONTENTS ALERT: This FREE alerting service by e-mail provides advanced notice of the Tables of Contents for ASCE Journals.

2005-10-28T16:53:00.000-07:00

AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers)

Excerpt:
http://www.aiche.org/ 10/28/05

For the yearly fee of $15, you can enjoy all the benefits of AIChE National with Student Membership.
Publications received with membership:
CEP (Chemical Engineering Progress)

2005-10-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

ASABE (Society for Engineering, Agricultural, food and Biological Systems)

Excerpt:
http://www.asabe.org 10/28/05

ASABE Technical Library http://asae.frymulti.com/

ASABE dues are, in most cases, based on age and are levied on the calendar year:
$20 for students/preprofessionals.
$32 for graduate students.
$32 for new college graduates for the first two years after graduation. To qualify for this special rate, you must have been a student/preprofessional member the year of graduation and notify ASABE of your current address.
$32 for new college graduates of post-undergraduate degrees for the first year after graduation. To qualify for this special rate, you must have been a student/preprofessional member the year of graduation and notify ASABE of your current address.
Publications received with membership:
ASABE Standards
ASABE Journals
Applied Engineering in Agriculture, ASABE Standards
ASABE Journals
Applied Engineering in Agriculture, ASABE Standards
ASABE Journals
Applied Engineering in Agriculture Annual Meeting Papers
Section Meeting Papers
Conference Proceedings
Textbooks Special Publications
Special Publications

Alerting System by e-mail:
About once a month the society will let you know when content of interest to you is added to the site. Just log in and select the key words of interest to be added to the e-mail alerting system.

2005-10-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

"Controlled Term
"The controlled vocabulary used to index records in Compendex can be found in the Ei Thesaurus. The 4th edition of the Ei Thesaurus contains 18,000 terms, 9,000 of those preferred terms and 9,000 entry terms. 220 new preferred terms were added for the 4th edition as well as 200 new entry terms. The terms can now be identified by using the thesaurus function from the navigation bar. Ei's controlled vocabulary is a list of subject terms used to describe the content of a document in the most specific and consistent way possible. These terms can be browsed in the Ei Controlled term Browse Index in Engineering Village 2 as well. These terms also appear hyperlinked in the abstract and detailed record format. Clicking on any of these will retrieve records spanning the date range of the original search. In 1993, Ei updated the format of its controlled vocabulary. Pre-1993 records retained their former format.

"Uncontrolled Term
"Uncontrolled terms, also known as free language terms, are additional subject terms assigned by indexers. These terms are not selected from the Ei Thesaurus. New terms and terminology are used in this field. These terms allow for further specificity in indexing that is not available using controlled vocabulary. Uncontrolled terms may subsequently become part of Ei's Controlled Vocabulary. These are searchable in All Fields for Easy, Quick or Expert Search or individually according to the specific search code in Expert Search."

NOTE

From: Engineering Information Compendex help screen. October 26, 2005. Link to the Compendex help screen for other definitions.