Knovel K-News Archive

FEATURED TITLE: Open Access to Yaws' Handbook of Thermodynamic and Physical Properties

Readers of K-News have two weeks of open access to a select title or group of titles in each issue. This issue features access to a title from the Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Subject Area:

Yaws' Handbook of Thermodynamic and Physical Properties of Chemical Compounds  (c) 2003, Knovel Corporation. This is an enormous collection of physical, thermodynamic, and transport property correlations for 5000 organic chemical compounds covering C1 to C70 organics. The data is provided in a tabular format with links to an interactive Equation Plotter that graphically represents the temperature correlation relationships for 15 key properties. The data is both experimentally determined and estimated based on methods developed by the author and other noted experts. Detailed references are provided for further research. Accurate information describes how chemicals behave at different temperatures in an easy-access format. The Equation Plotter saves countless hours of complicated calculations. In 2004, this title was updated to include 16 new Interactive Tables (57,000 records) on thermodynamic, physical, and transport properties of organic chemical compounds; 9 of the tables have Equation Plotter interactivity and almost all have synonyms.

Start using Yaws' Handbook now! You have immediate and unlimited access for the next two weeks--no registration required. Enjoy!

BRIEFS: Case Studies - Knovel Helps Businesses Save Time and Money

Knovel has been delivering its popular online engineering research library for more than six years. During that time, our collection of titles has grown from a handful to nearly 900, and we've introduced new productivity tools like the Knovel Reader, Spectra Viewer, and Phase Diagram Viewer. Knovel is clearly having an impact on the way research gets done. Over the years, we've heard many stories of how Knovel has helped organizations become more productive with engineering research. Some of those stories are now available from the Knovel Case Studies page. Among them are: Peter Breithaupt, Shell Energy Efficiency; Bodil Kroge Christensen, Danisco; and David Bruce, Kerr-McGee. Please take a moment to read about how Knovel is working with these top organizations to shorten the research cycle and provide maximum value for their investment.

For more information about how Knovel can help your organization shorten the research cycle, contact Justin Skogen at jskogen@knovel.com, or call him toll-free US/Canada 1-800-260-4106 (outside US/Canada +1-608-655-1447).

BRIEFS: Announcing the 'Knovel University Challenge' - Video iPod Contest for Students

Starting April 19th, Knovel is launching the Knovel University Challenge, a contest open to students enrolled in any college or university with an active subscription to the Knovel Library service. The contest is also open to students from institutions with trial access to Knovel Library, as well as students from institutions with free K-Essentials access. The contest runs until May 31st.

The Knovel University Challenge gives students hands-on experience with the features that are exclusive to the Knovel platform, and offers a great incentive for taking the Challenge--the chance to win one of four 30 GB Video Apple iPods! The Challenge is a 5-question multiple-choice quiz requiring students to use Knovel Library to correctly answer each question. All entries with correct responses will be entered into a drawing for a free 30 GB Apple Video iPod.

To find out if your institution has access to Knovel Library, go to the Knovel Library home page. If you see your institution's name along the top right-hand side, you have access! If you do not have access, be sure to ask a librarian at your institution to contact Bryan Keane, Knovel's Academic Sales Manager, about a free trial.

>> Take the Knovel University Challenge Now! <<

BRIEFS: Ryerson University Student Wins Apple iPod

Congratulations to Nihit Dua, an international student from India attending Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, for winning an Apple iPod Nano donated by Knovel to Ryerson for activities and celebrations during Engineering Week 2006. Nihit is in his 3rd year of the Electrical Engineering program. Also pictured is Zita Murphy, Engineering Librarian at Ryerson.

TUTORIAL: Enthalpy of Combustion for Alcohol

Scenario: A chemical engineer who works for an energy company has been tasked with researching fuel alternatives to hydrocarbons. Alcohol compounds seem like the best candidates. Ethanol is already used in many locations because of its ease of manufacture (the fermentation of just about any plant product will produce it), and its ability to blend with gasoline. But are there other alcohol-based fuels that that could completely replace gasoline? As a starting point, our chemical engineer would like a list of alcohol-based compounds and their enthalpy of combustion values. The higher the enthalpy of combustion, the more "energy dense" the compound. Knovel can help produce such a list with a few clicks.

1. In the Search box on the Knovel Library home page enter the phrase enthalpy combustion alcohol. The query entered means, "find any page of text or row of data from an interactive table where the terms enthalpy and combustion and alcohol are all present near each other on the same page or all are in the same row of data." Note that the words "of" and "for" are not included in the query. They are both "stop words" for Knovel--they are not included when Knovel performs a search. Click the Search button.
    
    
2. The search results page shows 3 titles that match the search query. The first title listed is Yaws' Handbook of Thermodynamic and Physical Properties of Chemical Compounds--this week's Featured Title. Click on the Yaws' title link.
    
    
3. The Table of Contents appears. Only one section appears by default--the section containing hits for the search query. This section, called "Enthalpy of Combustion (New)" looks like a good starting point. Click the Table (51) link on the right to open this section.
    
    
4. A new window opens with a Knovel Interactive Table containing information for various alcohol and alcohol derivative compounds. The table shows 51 entries with enthalpy of combustion values measured in three different units. Other information is also included: synonyms, molecular formula, CAS Registry number, and physical state of the compound. Our engineer now has a great starting point in the project to determine non-ethanol alternatives to hydrocarbon-based fuels. We wish the engineer speedy success!
    
   

KOOL TIPS: Stop Words in Searches

Knovel suppresses certain common words that add little nor no meaning when performing a search. Knovel calls these "stop words". Examples of Knovel stop words include: the, if, of, any, for, at, are, and also. Knovel automatically suppresses out stop words and does not use them when running a search query. A good example is today's Tutorial. The search phrase "enthalpy of combustion for alcohol" is identical to "enthalpy combustion alcohol". Both return identical results. You don't need to remember which words are not used--we just want you to be aware that certain words will not be used when searching the Knovel Library. For a complete list of Knovel's stop words, go to: www.knovel.com/knovel/Help/searching/stop_words.htm.

FEATURED TITLE: Open Access to Aluminum Alloy Database

Readers of K-News have two weeks of open access to a select title or group of titles in each issue. This issue features access to a title from the Metals & Metallurgy Subject Area:

Aluminum Alloy Database    (c) 2004-2006, Knovel. This newly updated 2006 Knovel Aluminum Database is a comprehensive summary of mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of both wrought and a wide variety of types of cast aluminum alloys. The values are "typical," as used in aluminum industry publications, to represent the average or mean and not any statistically calculated values intended for design. The most important properties of the aluminum alloys included in the database are: Estimated minimum mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, elongation, compressive yield strength, typical elastic moduli in tension, shear, and compression; fatigue properties such as fatigue strength and endurance limit; creep and tensile properties such as rupture stress and creep stress; fracture parameters such as unit propagation energy, plane strain fracture toughness, and relative critical crack-size index. Also included is a variety of physical and chemical properties of aluminum alloys as well as information on their typical industrial applications.

The following 7 interactive tables are brand new (added Feb. 13): Estimated Minimum Mechanical Properties of Wrought and Cast Aluminum Alloys (Tables 8a to 9b); Fracture Parameters for Wrought and Cast Aluminum Alloys (Tables 12a and 12b); and Typical Applications of Wrought and Cast Aluminum Alloys (Table 3). In addition, new data was added to Nominal Compositions and Composition Limits for Cast Aluminum Alloys (Table 1), and Nominal Compositions and Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum Alloys (Table 2). The section titled "Introduction to 2006 Update" (accessible from the Table of Contents) contains a detailed description of the added data.

Start using Aluminum Alloy Database now. You have immediate and unlimited access for the next two weeks. Enjoy!

BRIEFS: Productivity Tools Added to Existing Knovel Library Titles

Knovel is constantly working to make the engineering and scientific references that are part of Knovel Library even more useful by embedding them with our unique productivity tools. Recently, we embedded an additional 8 titles (already part of the Knovel Library) with new Interactive Tables, Equation Plotters, and Graph Digitizers. It is the "fusion" of these productivity tools with great content that takes the research experience to a whole new level. With Knovel, you can find information, analyze it, and use it to answer your questions--all in one place. Remember: Try Knovel First!

Among the 8 titles recently updated with new productivity tools are:

Titanium 
Copyright (c) 2003, Springer-Verlag. Metals & Metallurgy Subject Area. This title addresses all aspects of titanium, including: basic characteristics and physical metallurgy; extractive metallurgy; various production processes; correlations between processing, microstructure, and properties; and all aspects of applications, including economic considerations. For both scientists and engineers.

Update Description: 47 graphs and 4 phase diagrams in this title have been made interactive.

Polypropylene - An A-Z Reference 
Copyright (c) 1999, Springer-Verlag. Plastics & Rubber Subject Area. This title reviews the present state of knowledge on the manufacturing, processing and applications of neat, modified, filled and reinforced polypropylenes. Encyclopedic in nature, it represents an updated and comprehensive report on the synthesis, processing, testing and applications of polypropylene and related systems (modified, filled, and reinforced).

Update Description: 14 graphs in this title have been made interactive.

Modern Plastics Handbook 
Copyright (c) 2000, McGraw-Hill. Plastics & Rubber Subject Area. This title offers a thorough and comprehensive technical coverage of all aspects of plastics materials and processes, in all of their forms, along with coverage of additives, auxiliary equipment, plastic product design, testing, specifications and standards, and the increasingly critical subject of plastics recycling and biodegradability. Packed with essential information vital to anyone who makes decisions about plastics.

Update Description: 12 graphs in this title have been made interactive.

Be sure to visit Knovel's Updated Titles page for a complete list of recently updated titles.

BRIEFS: Recently Released Titles

Standard Handbook of Machine Design (3rd Edition)
Copyright (c) 2004, McGraw-Hill. Mechanics & Mechanical Engineering Subject Area. This definitive machine design handbook for mechanical engineers, product designers, project engineers, design engineers, and manufacturing engineers covers every aspect of machine construction and operation. This 3rd edition has been redesigned to meet the challenges of a new mechanical engineering age. In addition to adding chapters on structural plastics and adhesives, which are replacing the old nuts, bolts and fasteners in design, the author also updated and streamlined the remaining chapters.

Handbook of Biomaterial Properties
Copyright (c) 1998, Springer-Verlag. Biochemistry, Biology & Biotechnology Subject Area. Progress in the development of surgical implant materials has been hindered by the lack of basic information available on the nature of the tissues, organs, and systems being repaired or replaced. However, a considerable body of data has accumulated concerning the materials aspect of both implantable materials and natural tissues and fluids, broadly distributed in various publications, with varying degrees of accuracy and precision. This handbook draws together, for the first time, much of the accepted data and information on the subject. Contributions to this book by experts consider not only the intrinsic and interactive properties of biomaterials, but also the appropriateness of their applications as well as their historical context. This title will prove invaluable to the researcher, student, bioengineer and practicing physician.

Valve Selection Handbook (5th Edition) 
Copyright (c) 2004, Elsevier. Mechanics & Mechanical Engineering Subject Area (Premium Content, requires separate subscription). Valves are the components in a fluid flow or pressure system that regulate either the flow or the pressure of the fluid. They are used extensively in the process industries, especially petrochemical. Though there are only four basic types of valves, there is an enormous number of different kinds of valves within each category, each one used for a specific purpose. No other book on the market analyzes the use, construction, and selection of valves in such a comprehensive manner.

Be sure to visit Knovel's New Titles page for a complete list of newly released titles. For more information about the Knovel Library service or about the new or updated titles mentioned in K-News, contact Justin Skogen at jskogen@knovel.com, or call him toll-free US/Canada 1-800-260-4106 (outside US/Canada +1-608-655-1447).

BRIEFS: Other Voices

Regarding the Aluminum database, I commend Knovel on providing a truly useful product for the practicing engineer as well as the R&D specialist. The ability to interactively search tables for relevant property information and then display the selected data is a welcome advance over currently available static capabilities and will greatly facilitate materials selection activities.

- Warren H. Hunt, Jr., Ph.D., Aluminum Consultants Group, Inc.