Database Trial – Polymer Library

19985223,192x192,r-2We’re re-trialling a database this month that may be of considerable interest to chemists and engineers alike.

The Polymer Library is the world’s largest abstracts database dedicated to plastics, rubber, polymer composites and adhesives. Compiled and written by an expert team, this database sources information from journals, conference proceedings, books and reports to give you a comprehensive look at the information in your field. Find out more about the database and what it can do for you.

To obtain the trial details please login with your University username and password at https://internal.lboro.ac.uk/diss/lb/uniwide/webpages/Trials.html

Access is valid to 6th October 2016.

We welcome feedback – good or bad – on this trial, please contact Steve Corn.

Database Trial: Polymer Library

19985223,192x192,r-2Our second trial this month will likely be of great interest to chemists and engineers.

The Polymer Library is the world’s largest abstracts database dedicated to plastics, rubber, polymer composites and adhesives. Compiled and written by an expert team, this database sources information from journals, conference proceedings, books and reports to give you a comprehensive look at the information in your field. Find out more about the database and what it can do for you.

To obtain the trial details please login with your University username and password at https://internal.lboro.ac.uk/diss/lb/uniwide/webpages/Trials.html

Access is valid to 19th June 2016.

We welcome feedback – good or bad – on this trial, please contact Steve Corn.

British Science Week Resources – Reaxys

reaxys

Next up in our look at useful resources for British Science Week is the multi-faceted scientific formula database Reaxys.

Reaxys is a unique web-based chemistry database consisting of deeply excerpted compounds and related factual properties, reaction and synthesis information as well as bibliographic data, navigated and displayed via an actionable interface. Offering a wealth of experimentally validated information, Reaxys brings a fresh look to synthetic chemistry with powerful functionality, combined content and relevant information.

Why not have browse?

http://www.reaxys.com/

Beautiful Science at the British Library

British_20Library_20LogoA new free exhibition begins at the British Library today on a scientific theme with an artistic twist.

Beautiful Science: Picturing Data, Inspiring Insight explores how our understanding of ourselves and our planet has evolved alongside our ability to represent, graph and map the mass data of the time.

From John Snow’s plotting of the 1854 London cholera infections on a map to colourful depictions of the tree of life, you can discover how picturing scientific data provides new insight into our lives.

The exhibition is running in the Folio Society Gallery until 26th May. For further details visit the British Library website here.

Eden Flix Presents 'GasLand'

eden flix

The Eden Flix series of thought-provoking documentaries on an environmental theme begins again for the 2013-14 academic year with a screening of the Academy Award nominated 2010 film GasLand, introduced by Dr. Diganta Das, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering, at 3pm on Wednesday, 20th November, at the Cope Auditorium.

With the concept of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, becoming increasingly considered as a key source of fuel for the UK, strong opinions supporting and opposing the process are fervidly arising amongst scientists, corporations and environmental activists causing widespread confusion among the population. Concerns speculate that fracking could cause carcinogenic pollution to water and earth tremors and they also elaborate that the shale gas extracted is ultimately, not a long-term nor sustainable option. The reality is that sufficient evidence hasn’t yet been produced to make calculated decisions, despite the seemingly convincing cases made by both sides – exemplified by Josh Fox’s work in GasLand.

Dr. Diganta Das will introduce this screening and open the floor for discussion afterwards. The screening will commence at 3pm and is free for all students and staff to attend, although booking is required as space is limited. You can do this via this link.

Eden Flix presents a series of highly acclaimed, thought-provoking and inspirational documentaries on issues related to engineering, design and social consciousness, and is sponsored by the Centre for Engineering and Design Education as part of the Engineering and Design Educators Network series of events in collaboration with Loughborough’s long-established Flix Society. Watch out for details of further films next year.

Happy Birthday Ibuprofen!

Ibuprofen relief! By Niseag03, reproduced under CC Licence from Flickr

Today marks the anniversary of a local discovery which had a profound effect on medicine and pain medication in particular: the invention of Ibuprofen.

A team of research scientists based in a Nottingham laboratory owned by the chemists Boots came up with the formula 50 years ago in December 1961 and swiftly patented it. Originally marketed as Brufen, Ibuprofen is now sold under its own name and under such familiar brand names as Nurofen, and as such is used by millions worldwide to relieve pain, fever and discomfort.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the drug, or about the weird & wonderful world of biomedicine, why not check out our range of databases on the subject on Library Catalogue Plus? You should find Scifinder and Reaxys of particular interest. Please note that for off-campus access please login to the Library pages via the Remote Working Portal.