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Library Resources for Engineers

An overview of resources provided by the Lehigh University Libraries that are useful for Engineering research.

About Patents for Engineering Research

Patents are an important, but often overlooked, information source in Engineering research. Many corporations limit or prohibit their researchers from publishing in journals or conference proceedings in order to protect Intellectual Property (IP).  As a result, critical technical insights may only be disclosed through patent filings.

If you aren’t including patents in your search, you may be missing valuable information that isn’t available anywhere else.

While patents can enhance many research projects, they are especially important to consider during product design, technology development, or competitive analysis. Patents can help you identify prior art, avoid infringement, and uncover innovation trends in your field.

Patent searching can be challenging, but the Patents Library Guide, linked below, provides essential tools and guidance. It includes links to:

  • Tips for reading and interpreting patent documents
  • Introductory ebooks on patent searching
  • the Office of Technology Transfer at Lehigh
  • PatBase Express, a powerful platform for searching and analyzing global patents

If you're unsure where to start, or if you'd like help using PatBase Express, please reach out to the Engineering Librarian for support.