The library has access to dozens of databases, ebook providers, datasets and various other online resources you might find useful. You can view a list of the key databases for Mechanical Engineers on the Resources for Mechanical Engineering page. Otherwise, there are a number of sections that list more specific resource types you can link to from that page. Each section lists the various resources available by type and gives a brief description of what they are used for.
Don't forget that you are entitled to use any of the resources the library subscribes to. For example, If you are doing a manufacturing processes project with a business angle to it, feel free to check the equivalent Resources for Management page
Don't forget the Library Catalogue, all of our ebook titles and printed books and journals can be found using a general keyword or title search.
Alternatively, there are two dedicated ebook packages that contain a variety of engineering titles of use to you:
- Knovel Library - searchable access to reference information and data from over 700 leading handbooks, databases, encyclopedias, reference books, and standards covering a wide spectrum of engineering topics (ebook collection)
- Referex - browse titles or search the full-text of around 700 e-books in the fields of Materials, Mechanical, Electronics & Electrical engineering and Chemical, Petrochemical and Process engineering. (ebook collection)
By accessing these ebook packages directly you can carry out a keyword search of the full-text of the ebooks they contain. The Library Catalogue will only let you search for the titles of these books.
These brief notes on resources might help you as a starting point for doing research or gathering data for your project.
These lists are by no means comprehensive and I am sure I have not covered every possible project type!
General engineering, aerospace and automobiles projects
Metal, spinning, flying, flowing things, 'traditional' engineering as most laymen would understand it:
- Compendex - bibliographic database covering all engineering disciplines
- Web of Science - bibliographic database covering science and engineering
- SAE Digital Library - bibliographic database of technical papers in automotive engineering with some full text content from 1998 onward
- Engineering Sciences Data Unit - validated data and design methods for engineering problems
- IEEE Xplore - access to nearly one third of the world's current literature in electrical engineering, electronics and computer science, as published by the IEEE and IEE
Biomechanics, biomimetics, sports engineering topics
- Compendex - bibliographic database covering all engineering disciplines
- Web of Science - bibliographic database covering science and engineering
- Biosis Previews - information in all areas of life sciences from 1926 to date
- SportDiscus - index to literature covering all aspects of sport, sports medicine and physiology
- PubMed - indexes 3,900 biomedical journals from 1966 to date. PubMed is the most up-to-date version of Medline available. (Medline database also available via Web of Science interface)
Environmental projects, renewables and similar
- Compendex - bibliographic database covering all engineering disciplines
- Web of Science - bibliographic database covering science and engineering
- Business Source Premier - full-text for nearly 8,350 scholarly business journals and other sources
- Google Scholar - general web search for academic literature
Manufacturing, engineering management and processes
- Compendex - bibliographic database covering all engineering disciplines
- Web of Science - bibliographic database covering science and engineering
- Business Source Premier - full-text for nearly 8,350 scholarly business journals and other sources
- Statistics resources via Library
Standards and Specifications for design projects
- British Standards Online - full text of current British Standards online in PDF format
- Patents - links to European and US patent offices, some fulltext of patents available
These lists cover the most commonly used subscription resources the library has access to, but there are many more that you may find useful. Look around on the library resources webpages and ask for advice when you need it.
Go to "Overview of Journals and Conference Papers"
Go to "How do I carry out a search?"
Go to "How do I find Journal Articles / Conference Papers?"
To find out more about any of the topics covered here, please contact the Subject Librarian, Hilary Tacey by email via H.C.Tacey@bath.ac.uk
There are a number of Mechanical Engineering Library guides you may also find useful