PolyThinkers Pad » Science http://www.poly.edu/library/blog fueling polythinking with library news, tips and more Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:30:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 en Friday Fun: Fascinating science & technology videos http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/13/friday-fun-fascinating-science-technology-videos/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/13/friday-fun-fascinating-science-technology-videos/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:47:38 +0000 Ingrid technology http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/13/friday-fun-fascinating-science-technology-videos/ The annual TED conference brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers in Technology, Entertainment, and Design. They are challenged to give the “talk of their lives” (in 18 minutes) and many of these talks are available for free on the web.

Sifting through hundreds of videos can be a challenge, so to give you a taste of TED, here are a few of my favorites:

William Kamkwamba: How I harnessed the windTED video

To power his family’s home in Malawi, 14 year old William Kamkwamba built an electricity-producing windmill from spare parts and scrap.

Blaise Aguera y Arcas demos PhotosynthTED video

A dazzling demo of Photosynth, software that could transform the way we look at digital images. Using still photos culled from the Web, Photosynth builds breathtaking dreamscapes and lets us navigate them.

Jill Bolte Taylor’s Stoke of InsightTED video

Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: She had a massive stroke, and watched as her brain functions — motion, speech, self-awareness — shut down one by one.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/13/friday-fun-fascinating-science-technology-videos/feed/ Coles Science Center Lecture: Pandemic Influenzas Past and Present http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/13/coles-science-center-lecture-pandemic-influenzas-past-and-present/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/13/coles-science-center-lecture-pandemic-influenzas-past-and-present/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:50:51 +0000 Ingrid NYU http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/13/coles-science-center-lecture-pandemic-influenzas-past-and-present/ The Coles Science Center at Bobst Library Presents the Coles Science Salon Series

Pandemic Influenzas Past and Present:
History and Science, Science and History

by Eric L. Altschuler, MD, PhD
Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and
Microbiology & Molecular Medicine,
New Jersey Medical School,
University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey

We are currently in the midst of an influenza pandemic. There were three such pandemics in the Twentieth Century including the great pandemic of 1918 which killed more people than any infectious disease in history. These pandemics taught physicians and scientist much about influenza and other infectious diseases. Now current science is able to shed light on past pandemics such as our finding and retrieval of antibodies from aged survivors of the 1918 pandemic and my current work using long ago frozen samples to find the strain of the 1889-1890 pandemic.

flu 1918

DATE: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
TIME: 6:00-7:00pm
PLACE: Avery Room, 2nd Floor, Bobst Library*

Please join us for the talk, followed by a discussion. Refreshments will be served.

***RSVP Required***
Go here: http://tinyurl.com/salon-rsvp

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/13/coles-science-center-lecture-pandemic-influenzas-past-and-present/feed/ Start your research with our new library guides http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/29/start-your-research-with-our-new-library-guides/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/29/start-your-research-with-our-new-library-guides/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:29:09 +0000 Ingrid researchweb resources http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/29/start-your-research-with-our-new-library-guides/ Have you checked out our new multimedia library guides?  We currently have 18 guides on an array of topics from chemical engineering to copyright law.  These guides are the best starting points for finding articles, books, video, news, and more in your areas of interest.  Scroll through the sample guides below or browse the complete list.

You can access these guides directly from the library home page using the “Subject Guides” tab on the search box.  More guides are being added on a regular basis. If you’d like to see a guide for a particular area, let us know!

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/29/start-your-research-with-our-new-library-guides/feed/ New electronic collection: Synthesis Digital Library of Computer Science and Engineering http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/12/new-electronic-collection-synthesis-digital-library-of-computer-science-and-engineering/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/12/new-electronic-collection-synthesis-digital-library-of-computer-science-and-engineering/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:35:18 +0000 Ingrid biological engcomputer sciencedatabaseselectrical-computer eng http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/12/new-electronic-collection-synthesis-digital-library-of-computer-science-and-engineering/ The Dibner Library is pleased to announce the addition of Synthesis Digital Library of Computer Science and Engineering to its collection of electronic resources.  The collection consists of over 30 subject series in many areas of engineering, primarily related to electrical engineering, computer science, and bioengineering.

Each series consists of electronic books that synthesize an important research or development topic, authored by an expert contributor to the field.  The e-books (or “lectures” as they are called)  range from 50-275 pages and are available in PDF format.  They provide students and researchers a convenient way to get a better understanding of an area of interest.

The range of content level in Synthesis is intended to be fairly broad, from state-of-the-art research overviews to presentations appropriate for undergraduates or professionals seeking a review.  To find out more about the collection, read this detailed review.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/12/new-electronic-collection-synthesis-digital-library-of-computer-science-and-engineering/feed/ Professor Wolf’s new book, “Quantum Nanoelectronics,” now available http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/07/07/professor-wolfs-new-book-quantum-nanoelectronics-now-available/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/07/07/professor-wolfs-new-book-quantum-nanoelectronics-now-available/#comments Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:43:35 +0000 Ingrid electrical-computer engphysicstechnology http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/07/07/professor-wolfs-new-book-quantum-nanoelectronics-now-available/ Quantum Nanoelectronics: An introduction to electronic nanotechnology and quantum computing, is the first textbook to handle profitable new directions for nanotechnology, such as nanoelectronic aspects of ink-printed thin film solar cells and convenient hydrogen storage.

quantumnanobook.jpg

From the publisher:

The march of Moore’s Law takes electronics to the molecular level, and indeed molecules are likely to be incorporated in future hybrid computer chips. This self-contained text guides students as well as professionals to the new possibilities presenting a treatment of Quantum Computing, a promising new approach which is based on Quantum Mechanics. This essential new title also covers topics which connect to alternative energy technology, for example solar cell design, photocatalytic conversion of water to hydrogen, and high performance batteries.

The author, Edward L. Wolf, is Professor of Physics at NYU-Poly. Professor Wolf’s experience ranges from teaching undergraduate courses to conducting industrial research. In 2007, Professor Wolf was honored with Polytechnic’s ”Jacobs Excellence in Education Award.” He is also a Fellow of the American Physical Society and has authored over 100 refereed publications. The second edition of his successful textbook Nanophysics and Nanotechnology has been published recently.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/07/07/professor-wolfs-new-book-quantum-nanoelectronics-now-available/feed/ Trial Database: Synthesis Digital Library of Engineering and Computer Science http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/05/05/trial-database-synthesis-digital-library-of-engineering-and-computer-science/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/05/05/trial-database-synthesis-digital-library-of-engineering-and-computer-science/#comments Tue, 05 May 2009 20:24:36 +0000 Ingrid biological engcomputer sciencedatabaseselectrical-computer eng http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/05/05/trial-database-synthesis-digital-library-of-engineering-and-computer-science/ Now until June 1st, take the opportunity to try out: Synthesis Digital Computer Science and Engineering Collection - a new electronic collection covering 30 engineering areas, primarily related to electrical engineering, computer science, and bioengineering.  It contains relatively brief introductions (50-250 pages) to complex topics written at an advanced undergraduate level.  These introductions (called “lectures”) provide students and researchers with an excellent opportunity to learn about a new topic or get up to speed quickly in a new research area.

To access the collection, go to www.morganclaypool.com from a computer on campus (off campus access is not yet available).  You can browse by series to find a topic that you are interested in or search for specific terms.

The range of content level in Synthesis is intended to be fairly broad, from state-of-the-art research overviews to presentations appropriate for undergraduates or professionals seeking a review.  During the trial period you are free to view, print and download whatever you would like without restriction.

To find out more about the collection, read this detailed review.

If Synthesis is a resource you would like the library to subscribe to, let us know by leaving a comment.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/05/05/trial-database-synthesis-digital-library-of-engineering-and-computer-science/feed/ Coles Science Center presents talk on Atmospheric Circulation http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/06/coles-science-center-presents-talk-on-atmospheric-circulation/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/06/coles-science-center-presents-talk-on-atmospheric-circulation/#comments Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:35:13 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/06/coles-science-center-presents-talk-on-atmospheric-circulation/ The Coles Science Center at Bobst Library Presents the Coles Science Salon

“The General Circulation of the Atmosphere, from Colombus to Meteosat”

by Olivier Pauluis , PhD
Center for Atmosphere Ocean Science,
Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, NYU

Our day-to-day experience with the weather could lead us to believe that wind is unpredictable and chaotic. However, when looked upon on a larger scale, the atmosphere exhibits a well-defined global circulation. This circulation plays a key role in the climate system by transporting energy and water around the Earth, preventing the Poles from becoming too cold and the equatorial regions too warm. In this talk, Professor Pauluis will discuss the key features of the atmospheric circulation, how they have been discovered and explained, and how they are related to different weather patterns around the globe.

For more on Professor Pauluis’s research, read his latest article in Science (NYU NetID login required) on how temperature and humidity affect global atmospheric circulation. [Citation: Pauluis O, Czaja A, Korty R. The global atmospheric circulation on moist isentropes. Science. 2008;321(5892):1075-1078.]

DATE:   Monday, March 9, 2009
TIME:   5:30-6:30pm
PLACE: East Room, 2nd Floor, Bobst Library

Refreshments will be served.

***RSVP Required***
Go here: http://tinyurl.com/salon-rsvp

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/06/coles-science-center-presents-talk-on-atmospheric-circulation/feed/ IOP Select - the best of physics research http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/26/iop-select-the-best-of-physics-research/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/26/iop-select-the-best-of-physics-research/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:22:56 +0000 Ingrid databasesphysics http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/26/iop-select-the-best-of-physics-research/ If you want to keep up to date with the latest in physics research then you need to know about IOP Select. IOP Select is a service provided by the Institute of Physics (IOP) that features articles chosen by editors for their novelty, significance and potential impact on future research.  Updated weekly, IOP Select gathers all the important articles published in one convenient location.  You can search for topics by keyword or browse by journal title, month, or the following subject areas:

  • Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Physics
  • Applied Physics
  • Condensed Matter and Materials Science
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • High Energy and Nuclear Physics
  • Measurement Science
  • Medical and Biological Physics
  • Optical, Atomic and Molecular Physics
  • Plasma Physics

For more useful resources, check out the Physics Subject Guide.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/26/iop-select-the-best-of-physics-research/feed/ SciTopics officially launched - research 2.0 style http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/09/scitopics-officially-launched-research-20-style/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/09/scitopics-officially-launched-research-20-style/#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:23:40 +0000 Ingrid medicineresearchtechnologyweb resources http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/09/scitopics-officially-launched-research-20-style/ scitopics_logoThe new SciTopics is a free, online expert-generated knowledge-sharing service for the research community that offers scientific, technical, and medical knowledge on a variety of subjects. Designed to complement the traditional peer-review process, the site allows invited experts to develop topic pages offering research summaries with the content moderated through 14 subject editors to ensure high standards and relevancy. The easy-to-use, wikilike resource aims to give authors a platform to showcase their works and to facilitate scholarly debate.

Elsevier, a leading publisher of science and health information, developed SciTopics to offer authors a faster, more informal, dynamic, and interactive ways to publish their thinking on issues and highlight their research. The newly released tool takes advantage of the speed and interactivity of sharing information on the web, but it also addresses the problems of data overload and quality and accuracy of information. (more…)

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/09/scitopics-officially-launched-research-20-style/feed/ Safari: new technical e-book collection now available http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/02/safari-new-technical-e-book-collection-now-available/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/02/safari-new-technical-e-book-collection-now-available/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:45:51 +0000 Ingrid computer sciencedatabasestechnology http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/02/safari-new-technical-e-book-collection-now-available/ Dibner Library is pleased to announce the addition of Safari Books Online to its expanding electronic resource collection.  Safari offers a wide selection of nearly 300 popular computer programing and information management books covering topics such as operating systems, programming, networking, and much more.

safaribooks1.jpg

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