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Find Patents
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U. S. Patent and Trademark Office Full-Text DatabaseSearch by class(es)/subclass(es), read definitions of possible classifications to determine appropriate ones, browse patents in these classifications. Look at "References Cited" for additional earlier patents.
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Google PatentsSearch by keyword or by class/subclass as terminology may be different than keywords you are using. Look at "Patent Citations" and "Referenced By" sections for additional sources.
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EspacenetContains access to over 90 million patents from around the word. Will also translate patents.
Need help with patent research? Check out this patent research tutorial:
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United States Patent and Trademark Retrieval TutorialA 7-step strategy on conducting a preliminary patent search.
Not sure about what search terms to use? Try browsing the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Classification System for patent subjects.
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Click here to search for books and media!This link will lead to an advanced search, so you can use as many or as few key terms as you want. For help with advanced searching, see our tutorial.
Can't find the book or article you want? Try Interlibrary Loan (ILL)! We also have an ILL FAQ for more info!
Find Background Information
General Background Sources:
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Credo Reference Academic Core (This link opens in a new window)
A comprehensive collection of subject encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, and reference handbooks. Also included are short reference videos and high-resolution images. Useful background information source.
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Oxford Reference Online: Premium (This link opens in a new window)
A comprehensive collection of scholarly encyclopedias and dictionaries published by Oxford University Press. A useful background information source for starting your research. Simultaneous user limit: 5.
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Britannica Academic (This link opens in a new window)
Provides access to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, an interactive world atlas, a world data analyst tool, images, timelines, videos, and primary sources.
Discipline-Specific Background Sources:
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Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers
Call Number: Reference Stacks Main Level TK151 .S8 17TH ED. 2013ISBN: 9781259642586Publication Date: 2018 -
Systems Engineering: Fundamentals and Applications
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9783030134303Publication Date: 2019
Cite Your Sources
Working on a big project and need help with citations? Try Zotero, a citation manager that connects with your browser to save full text, organize sources, and create citations. Don't have a lot of time? You can safely generate a citation using ZoteroBib!
Find Other Resources in the Academic Commons
The Library isn't the only resource available to you! The following departments are housed in the Library, but provide different services than the Librarians do:
- The Office of Accessibility
- The Fredrickson Family Innovation Lab
- Global Fairfield
- The ITS Help Desk
- The Math Center
- The Science Center
- The Writing Center
Engineering Course Guides
Below is a list of this semester's Course Guides for this subject:
