Engineering Library Blog

the place to learn interesting and useful facts about information resources and library services!

“US DoE expands global science gateway - 18 Jun 2008

The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Scientific and Technical Information has announced that international science portal WorldWideScience.org has expanded its scope to include connections to databases and scientific web sites from over 44 nations.

WorldWideScience.org allows users to question over 200 million science and technology documents not indexed by popular search engines. The portal linked to 12 databases from 10 countries when it debuted in June 2007. The lately expanded service includes 32 national scientific databases and links to portals from 44 countries.

DOE and the British Library along with eight other participating countries first struck an agreement to establish the portal in January 2007. WorldWideScience.org gives science information consumers a single entry point for searching far-reaching science portals in parallel, with only one query, saving time and effort.”

Source: Knowledgespeak Newsletter

“EPSRC launches Digital Repositories e-Science Network - 17 Jun 2008

The UK’s Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has launched the Digital Repositories e-Science Network (DReSNet). The network is expected to leverage the synergy between two fields of technology and technique, e-science and digital repositories.

The digital material generated from and used by academic and other research is to an increasing extent being held in formally managed digital repositories. In many cases, these systems are used currently to hold relatively simple objects like an institution’s pre-prints and publications, or e-theses. However, some institutions are beginning to use them to manage research data.

A major motivation in setting up and populating digital repositories has been to make the results of research available to a wider audience. The latest systems allow users to move away from the model of a standalone repository, where objects are simply deposited for subsequent access and download. Instead, researchers are developing more sophisticated models in which a repository is an integrated component of a larger research infrastructure, incorporating advanced tools and workflows. These are being used to model complex webs of information and capture scholarly or scientific processes in their entirety, from raw data through to final publications. Repositories thus add value to the data-driven research lifecycle.

A particular feature of the new network is that it will operate across disciplines, including the arts, humanities and social sciences as well as the sciences in the narrower sense, as the technologies addressed are trans-disciplinary. Given the range of potential applications of the technologies, interest in DReSNet is not restricted to the academic world, but also includes non-academic institutions. Consequently, industrial participants, including commercial companies, cultural heritage organisations (e.g. museums, art galleries and historic libraries), the media, and public/government bodies will be encouraged to participate.”

Source: Knowledgespeak Newsletter, June 17, 2008

Safari 5.8 will have a statistics counter, and “Safari has also enhanced its video content collection. Subscribers will now have access to online videos in Adobe Flash and Windows Media Player as well as QuickTime.”

Princeton University Library has a full subscription to this online e-book service.

Source: EContent magazine, June 16, 2008

Jay Harman has made a long-term study of fluid flows: The biology and physics of vortexes reveal promise of efficiencies in energy and natural systems. Pax Scientific, the company he founded, now has 5 spin-off companies, one being PaxIT absorbed with designing quieter more efficient computer fans.

The article also cites examples of the slowness with which promising inventions get adopted — even in the computer or information technology industries. Read the article in the New York Times from June 8th.

All Engineering Library books can now be renewed online. Please submit requests for book renewals through the online form available on the Engineering Library website (under Services) and on the Princeton University Library website (under Circulation).

“SAE International wins National Science Foundation Award - 12 May 2008

The US’ National Science Foundation has awarded SAE International and Bayer Corporation with the 2008 Public Service Award. Both organisations were recognised for their work to increase the public’s understanding of science and engineering.

In particular, SAE was honored for its A World In Motion (AWIM) (www.awim.org) curriculum and Collegiate Design Series (http://students.sae.org/competitions/). AWIM joins together teachers, students, (elementary through high school) and industry volunteers in an exploration of physical science while addressing essential mathematic and scientific concepts and skills. SAE’s Collegiate Design Series is a series of competitions that provides college students with real-world, hands-on engineering experience by designing, building and testing the performance of real vehicles.

The award presentation took place during a black-tie dinner at the U.S. Department of State on May 6. The presentation was attended by SAE 2008 President Dr. Thomas W. Ryan III, PhD, and SAE International Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dr. David L. Schutt, PhD.”

Source: Knowledgespeak Newsletter, May 12, 2008

“International Journal of System of Systems Engineering covers the evolution and current developments in the field of system of systems and systems engineering concepts. The journal emphasises on the implications of the fact that new developments on technical and non-technical systems are merging. A free download of papers from this first issue is available at http://www.inderscience.com/sample.php?id=184.”

Source: Knowledgespeak Newsletter

“BioMed Central launches new OA journal - Biotechnology for Biofuels - 05 May 2008

Open access publisher BioMed Central, US, has announced the launch of a new, open-access journal - Biotechnology for Biofuels. Michael Himmel, Bärbel Hahn-Hägerdal, Chris Somerville, and Charles Wyman will serve as Editors-in-Chief of the journal. They will be supported by an international editorial board.

Biotechnology for Biofuels emphasises understanding and advancing the application of biotechnology and synergistic operations to improve plants and biological conversion systems for the production of fuels from lignocellulosic biomass and any related economic, environmental and policy issues. The journal features the latest cutting-edge research in the field, reviews and commentary articles from both Academia and Industry. Also, it will run a blog, dedicated to all aspects of the biofuels world.

BioMed Central will officially launch the journal at the forthcoming 30th symposium of Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals, in New Orleans.”

Source: Knowledgespeak Newsletter, May 5, 2008

“EnergyCurrent.com redesigns website

EnergyCurrent.com has redesigned its website and released several new features in advance of the 2008 Offshore Technology Conference. EnergyCurrent.com is a publisher of upstream energy business news focused on offshore petroleum and emerging and alternative energy resources.

The new site design gives readers around the world better access to expansive coverage of the upstream energy sector. The redesigned site features significant improvements in overall readability and navigation, allowing readers to more easily drill down to the news that is important for them. New features include an events calendar, industry links, a translation tool powered by Google and the EnergyWiki.

EnergyCurrent.com is projected as a one-stop resource for the latest news on the rapidly growing upstream energy business segments of Offshore Oil and Gas and Emerging and Alternative Energy resources. With more than 10,000 stores published to date, coverage focuses on global offshore exploration and production of oil and gas, field development and construction, the global LNG industry and renewable energy resources such as wind energy, wave energy, solar power, and bio-fuels. EnergyCurrent.com is free to read online and offers a free daily email digest recapping the previous day’s stories, an events calendar and a free business encyclopedia, EnergyWiki.”

Source: Knowledgespeak Newsletter, May 7, 2008

Wiley-Blackwell launches Journal of Flood Risk Management - 06 May 2008

Wiley-Blackwell, the STM and scholarly publishing business of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., US, has announced the launch of the Journal of Flood Risk Management. One of Europe’s leading experts in flooding and wastewater management, David Balmforth, Technical Director of MWH, will serve as Editor-in-Chief.

Published in partnership with the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), the journal seeks to provide an international forum for exploring the interactions between the diverse fields that comprise the management of flood risk worldwide. The first issue will publish in May 2008.

A quarterly publication, the Journal of Flood Risk Management will comprise peer-reviewed original papers, review articles, and editorials covering such areas as hydrology, coastal, storm and surge, climate change, modeling, infrastructure management, flood event management and disaster recovery, flood forecasting/warning, land use management/spatial planning, policy and legislation, uncertainty analysis and risk and health and social aspects of flooding. All articles will be free of charge for the first year of publication.”

Source: Knowledgespeak Newsletter, May 6, 2008

Knovel News

120 new volumes have been added to Knovel. Here are 4 from the category of Electrical and Power and Engineering:

1. Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles
2. Fuel Cells, Engines and Hydrogen - An Exergy Approach
3. Electromagnetic Theory Instantaneous Power Theory
4. Applications to Power Conditioning

One of Knovel’s most popular titles, this 2nd edition of Knovel Critical Tables has been updated and enhanced with over 40 new interactive tables. A total of more than 16,000 new records have been added.

New tables have been introduced in areas including:

Electrical Properties Thermal Expansion Transport and Flow Density and Compressibility Vaporization and Vapor Pressure Reaction, Thermodynamics and Equilibrium

To see the Spring 2008 newsletter and get tips and demos, visit:

http://www.info.knovel.com//knews/KNewsSpring20080502.html

It includes an example of a “fielded” search for the tensile and compressive properties of materials — of which it contains thousands.

FierceBioresearcher is a free weekly newsletter that provides alerts of very interesting research that is going on in the PHARMA industry. There are usually links to articles and reports. Occasionally there are conference notices, and announcements of industry reports, e.g.: “The BioWorld Diabetes Report 2008: Developments and Opportunities in Drugs and Devices”.

“FierceBioResearcher gives you the must-know scientific breakthroughs, tools, techniques and news about the biotech research industry. Critical areas covered include drug discovery and development, preclinical research, nanotechnology, genomic research, bioinformatics, and stem cell research. Sign up today to receive your “insiders only” weekly briefing for free.”

Topics Covered — from their website:

Drug Discovery Preclinical Research Pharmacology Genomics Proteomics Cell Biology Molecular Biology Tissue Culture Cell Culture GCP / GLP / GMP Lab Equipment

From their homepage:

“IEEE.tv is an internet based television network made possible by the members of IEEE. IEEE.tv produces and delivers special-interest programming about technology and engineering for the benefit of IEEE’s members and the general public. IEEE.tv can be launched from this page, and it is also accessible for members via myIEEE, the members-only portal.”

“Video programs are streamed via the IEEE.tv viewer.For the convenience of IEEE members, IEEE.tv MemberBasic is accessible from myIEEE™.IEEE.tv Public access can be linked from any website.”

“First Issue of IET Power Electronics Now Available in IEEE Xplore® IET Power Electronics, a new journal from the IET brings together five principal power electronics themes. The journal, now available in IEEE Xplore, focuses on the specific power electronics areas of applications of power semiconductor technology, circuits, devices, techniques and performance management. The inaugural issue of IET Power Electronics highlights concerns in novel power converter topology; isolated zero-voltage transition PWM converters; forced oscillation in LC circuits; and new options for large power and high-quality AC-DC conversion.” Read the first issue

Source: What’s New @ IEEE in Libraries, April 2008

March 14 — The National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering held a summit on March 13 and 14 to examine the increasing importance of energy policy to the nation’s security, economic vitality, and environment. U.S. government officials and other leading experts delivered a series of presentations that will inform the upcoming study —

America’s Energy Future: Technology Opportunities, Risks, and Tradeoffs.

Summit Agenda and Presentations

News Release

America’s Energy Future Project

What You Need to Know About Energy booklet

Source: What’s New@National-Academies.org Friday, March 21.

“Under the initiative, CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) will work with Wikipedia to help provide accurate CAS Registry Numbers for current substances listed in Wikiprojects - Chemicals section of the Wikipedia Chemistry Portal - that are of widespread general public interest. The CAS Registry is one the most comprehensive collections of chemical substances and the CAS Registry Number is the recognised global standard for chemical substance identification.”

From Knowledgespeak Newsletter, March 18.

The Princeton Writing Program is offering 6 sections of two non-credit, 6-week courses in Writing in Science and Engineering (WSE). Space is limited and enrollment is by application only. The courses are sponsored by the Graduate School and the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). The application deadlines are in advance of the beginning of each course. For more information visit http://www.princeton.edu/writing/WSE/.

Join IEEE for a Free Webinar on Photonic Integrated Circuits Learn about the latest advancements in photonic integrated circuits in an IEEE webinar taught by IEEE Fellow Christopher R. Doerr. “InP Photonic Integrated Circuits for Fiber-Optic Communications”, scheduled for Wednesday, 9 April 2008 at 2:00 pm EDT, will provide an overview of the technology behind InP PICs, focusing on devices for fiber-optic communications that monolithically integrate two or more functions. Ideal for telecommunications design engineers, research and development engineers and engineering managers, this webinar will highlight how InP-based photonic integrated circuits (PICs) can simplify system designs, reduce space and power consumption, improve reliability and reduce the cost of deploying optical networks.

Christopher R. Doerr earned a B.S. in aeronautical engineering and a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Since joining Bell Labs in 1995, Doerr’s research has focused on integrated devices for optical communication. He was promoted to Distinguished Member of Technical Staff in 2000, received the OSA Engineering Excellence Award in 2002, and became an IEEE Fellow in 2006. Doerr is also the Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.

Sign up today and receive a complimentary package of IEEE journals and conference proceedings for attending.

For more information, contact Angela Trilli at a.trilli@ieee.org

Knovel has scheduled a “Knovel Enhancements Walk-through Webinar” for Wednesday March 5th at 1 PM Eastern time and invites you to attend. Previous sessions have run approximately 30 minutes. You can visit http://knovel.ilinc.com/register/cmcmxr to register.

Improvements include:

• Tabbed navigation structure with Basic Search, Browse and Fielded Search modes

• A Fielded Search function that remains persistent throughout the search, making it easier to revise search criteria

• An enhanced Browse function which simplifies drill-downs

• Availability of the Knovel Unit Converter throughout the site

February 20 — In conjunction with National Engineers Week, the National Academy of Engineering and a coalition of engineering and educational organizations announced today the launch of “Engineer Your Life,” a new Web site to encourage academically prepared girls to enroll in undergraduate engineering programs. The site is part of a national effort to tell high school girls, and the adults in their lives, about what it is like to be an engineer.

News Release

Engineer Your Life

From today’s What’s new@national-academies.org

The National Academy of Engineering announced the grand challenges for engineering in the 21st century. A diverse committee of experts from around the world, convened at the request of the U.S. National Science Foundation, revealed 14 challenges that, if met, would improve how we live.

News Release

Web Site

Continue reading "14 Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century" »

Writing Guidelines for Engineering and Science Students
[ http://www.writing.eng.vt.edu/ ]

“Crafting meaningful and articulate lab presentations and correspondence can be difficult for anyone, including engineers and other scientists. This particular set of resources is designed to teach engineering and science students about creating and writing materials such as resumes, formal laboratory reports, presentation slides, and so on. The guidelines are gathered into several different sections, including “Introduction”, “Presentations”, “Correspondence”, and “Formal Reports”. There is material for instructors here as well, and the offerings include pieces on the design of writing assignments, the interactive teaching of writing, and the evaluation of writing assignments. Finally, the site also contains a number of writing exercises on grammar, punctuation, and word usage.”

From The Scout Report, Univ. of Wisconsin, Feb. 15, 2008

Rhetoric for Engineers [ http://www.tcnj.edu/~rgraham/rhetoric/ ]

“As a field of study, rhetoric has enjoyed a popular resurgence in at the college level, and when deployed effectively, various rhetorical devices can make any piece of writing much more compelling. Ron Graham has created this site designed to help engineers and “other practical people” with the practice and art of rhetoric. The site includes a summary of basic rhetoric, along with some “Two-Minute Drills”, which are designed to help engineers with developing answers to questions like “Are engineers made or born?” and “Define ‘reliability’”. Visitors can also look over the site’s complete contents via an interactive guide which covers everything from abstraction to workplace distractions.” One can also subscribe to the Rhetoric for Engineers mailing list. From the “Scout Report”, Univ. of Wisconsin, Feb. 15, 2008

We now have access to the Society of Petroleum Engineers(SPE) eLibrary which is a repository of technical papers presented at SPE-sponsored conferences and in SPE’s technical journals since early 1950s. Access requires Princeton authentication (no walk-ins allowed) and individual user registration. Once an individual account is created, login, then go to the Papers/Publications/Authors section at the top menu and click on eLibrary/Technical Papers to search. You must save papers of interest to cart and complete the check-out process (the cart will show $0.00 at check-out) to download the papers.

From Adriana Popescu, Engineering Librarian, Jan. 30, 2008

Continue reading "Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) eLibrary" »