In 2019, UNESCO created their Recommendation on Open Science, a set of guidelines to help encourage collaboration across national boarders, language barriers, and institutional divides. Open Science advocates for Open Access, but widens the scope to include Open Data, Research, Evaluation, Policies, and Tools.
A taxonomy of Open Science from the Foster Open Science initiative (click to see in detail!)
Open Science leads to more collaborative and democratic discoveries. Institutions that lack funding may not be able to access the expensive databases that can be the only point of access for important papers and other resources. Removing hurdles is good for everyone! By following Open Science guidelines, publishing in Open Access journals, and making their processes widely available, scientists can ensure that their results are accurate by making their tests easily reproducible. Expanded access means more diverse worldviews are contributing to the science. Learn more about the development of Open Science with the resources below!
UNESCO. (2019). Preliminary study of the technical, financial and legal aspects of the desirability of a UNESCO recommendation on Open Science. 40th Session of UNESCO General Conference, Paris. Available: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000370291
UI corresponding authors can now publish their journal articles Open Access and free of cost to them with 8 different publishers! The University Libraries have entered into “transformative agreements” covering the cost if you want your article to be open access.
American Chemical Society(ACS): UI corresponding authors can publish open access in any ACS journals without a fee. Under this agreement, UI authors can publish 34 articles per year OA, it is part of a first come pool and not unlimited.
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): Any UI corresponding author can publish open access in ACM journals with no fee. The publisher’s website contains additional information
Cambridge University Press (CUP): There will be no charge for UI corresponding authors who publish open access in CUP’s gold (40 titles) and hybrid journals (330 titles). See CUP’s announcement for more details.
Cogitatio Press: UI corresponding authors can publish in Cogitatio’s four journals without a cost. This announcement provides more detail.
Microbiology Society: Articles published in this society’s journals will be OA by default for UI corresponding authors.
PLOS Medicine and PLOS Biology: UI corresponding authors can publish in these two PLOS journals with no fee. PLOS’ announcement provides more detail.
Royal Society: No-fee OA publishing in the society’s nine journals for UI corresponding authors. Royal Society’s read and publish page contains more information.
This will not only broaden access to UI articles, but will meet the requirement of some granting agencies to publish OA without embargo. These articles can be immediately read by anyone, anywhere, without the paywalls that traditionally accompany academic journals.
What is ORCID and why does it matter to Open Access?
ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) is a personal identifier that helps to make sure that work gets attributed to the correct person. To learn more about ORCID and to get started with your own, visit ORCID @ The University of Iowa.
What does this have to do with Open Access?
ORCID is founded on principles of open access and works to build networks between researchers through expanding access. They back this up in practice, since their own software is open access.
Have you ever started searching for an article by searching an author’s name only to find in the results that there are multiple authors by the same name, or can’t tell if the author of two papers is the same person because their associated institution has changed? By creating unique searchable ID’s for researchers, ORCID helps overcome both of these problems. If properly maintained, ORCID records can also be full lists of work that a researcher has done. If you can’t access a paper because it is behind a paywall, check the author’s ORCID! You may find they wrote a similar paper that is published in an open access journal.
Want even more information? Watch this short video for more explanation. If you are ready to get started, use the UI ORCID Planter tool to claim your ID today!
According to UNESCO, Open Access is “free access to information and unrestricted use of electronic resources for everyone.” The hope of Open Access is that increased access to research will lead to more collaborative projects and that the removal barriers will create a more equitable research environment.
We’ll be putting up mini blogs every day, so check in here to learn about ORCID, Open Educational Resources, and more. Also follow along on our Facebook,Instagram, and Twitter so you don’t miss anything!
Happy homecoming to all – current students and alumni near and far! One of the College of Engineering’s most creative homecoming traditions is the Corn Monument. The state of Iowa is the top corn producer in the country, so what better way to celebrate than to celebrate with corn?
Corn Monuments from 1919 to 1943 (from the Iowa Digital Library)
Engineers have showed their support for the football team with things other than corn. In 1919, they upstaged their obelisk monument on the Pentacrest with an electric sign. In preparation for the homecoming game against Iowa State, they created 15-foot tall electric sign that read “Soak Um Iowa” and placed it on top of the physics building (also known as MacLean Hall). The sign featured around 200 light bulbs and would have been very visible from Iowa Field, located only a block away near the river. No pictures of the sign seem to have survived, but in 1920 they created a similar sign for the homecoming game against Minnesota that read “Iowa Who Wah.”
1920 “corn monument” electric sign (from the Iowa Digital Library)
A common motif for these monuments is an obelisk or a big “I,” but some unique designs have been taken. For example, this rocket monument from 1952, the design of which was submitted by dental student Duane Schmidt.
1952 Corn Monument (from the Iowa Digital Library)
If the Hawks won, the monument would be burned in celebration. Here is a photo of the 1952 monument on fire after the Hawks beat the Buckeyes 8-0. For many reasons (including public safety) his tradition has been abandoned.
From the Iowa Digital Library
The corn monument was popular through the 60’s, but as with many traditions, interest waned and no one took the initiative. Corn monuments reappeared in 1981 and have been present on and off since. After being gone for two years, the corn monument is back for 2021! This year we have what is believed to be one the biggest corn monuments – a replica of the Old Capitol that stands 25 feet tall. It’s just across the street on the Pentacrest. See it today in between classes or while visiting your old stomping grounds, and Go Hawks!
3D printing has gained popularity in the past decade, with printers becoming cheaper and more accessible to the consumer market. It has allowed users to take manufacturing into their own hands with several advantages over traditional manufacturing. Read all the way to the end to find out how you can learn the ins and outs of printing through the Engineering Library.
The Basics
3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing. As the name would suggest, this means that items are created by building up material. The computer programs involved take the digital model the user has created and “slice” it into horizontal pieces. The printer then takes these slices and prints them one on top of the other, building the item.
Consumer-grade printers usually print using thermoplastic graded according to the machine being used. The filament (1) is heated in the machine (2) and fed out through the nozzle (3) to build layers on the print (4) which starts on the build plate (5). Plastic is the most common, but some printers can use glass, ceramic, chocolate, and even biological tissue!
A diagram of 3D printing
Software
Advanced training in CAD software is no longer necessary to create your own 3D prints. Software like TinkerCAD and 123D Creature are specifically developed for ease of use. Not interested in making your own? You can download print files from a variety of websites, such as Thingiverse. The maker of your 3D printer may also have their own online repository, so be sure to check the major brand websites.
Tinkercad is available on your computer or tablet
Printers
Consumer-Level 3D printers come in many different forms, and choosing the right one for you depends on what you are planning to print. For most home printing, a standard cartesian printer will work just fine. However, there are other options. Delta-style printers have small footprints, so they take up less space, but are also limited in their print capacity. If you wanted to go really overboard, you could look into a new innovation, a printer with a conveyor belt in place of the printing plate. This innovation allows for “infinite” printing. This means you could leave your printer to complete a multi-part print and not have to return and reset it as each piece finishes, or you could more easily print very long items, like swords or staffs. Of course, there is no need to buy a printer at all. Many public libraries now have 3D printers that can be used, or you can submit your files to be created by the printers at the Engineering Electronics Shop.
A conveyor belt printer completing multiple prints at a time
Learn & Create Workshops
Learn about 3D printing from the experts with our Learn & Create 3D Printing Workshop Series. Taught by Andrew Delgado from the 3D Print Club, the first class will cover the use of design software, and the second will focus on running the printers. More information is below. Visit our website to save your spot today!
October 6, 1:30 pm, Engineering Library Creative Space (2001C SC) – 3D Printing Designing
Want to learn how to use a 3D printer, but not sure how to get started? Learn the basics of 3D Design and Modeling in this step-by-step workshop.
October 13, 1:30 pm, Engineering Library Creative Space (2001C SC) – 3D Printing Operating the Printer
Have you ever wondered how 3D printers work? Join us and learn how to use slicing applications and the basics of operating a 3D printer.
It’s time for our annual Creative Kick-Start program! This program, created by the Engineering Library and the Engineering Technology Center, enables students to develop their ideas into viable products. Funds are generously provided by the Engineering Technology Center.
All Engineering students (both undergraduate and graduate) can submit their ideas for the program. Up to 10 projects will be invited to participate in the program and will receive $500 in funding. This award may only be used in the Engineering Technology Center for materials, tools, and labor. Any funds that are unused will be returned to the program.
So how do you get started?
Think of a problem you want to solve. Do you want to improve the design of a tool you use a lot? Have a solution for the most annoying part of your day? The timeline for the program is approximately 3 months, so think big, but keep things in perspective.
Find a faculty or staff member to sign on to your project. All projects must have one.
Fill out the application (Due October 29th) and tell us a little bit about your project.
Wait to hear! Our Application Review Committee will evaluate your application and choose up to 10 projects.
Participants will take part in a workshop to help them get started and to receive their Creative Kick-Start RedBoxes. These boxes contain everything the participants need for the program, including timelines for reports, a contacts sheet for the supporting partners, and the funding card that they will use in the Engineering Electronics Shop and Machine Shop. Students will present their projects at the College of Engineering Annual Research Open House.
Applications are due October 29th, so start putting together your proposal now! Do you have an idea you want to submit? Visit the project homepage for more information and to see past participants. If you have any questions, reach out to the Engineering Library. Call us at 319-335-6047, text us at 319-250-2176, email us at lib-engineering@uiowa.edu, or just come in and ask.
Whether this is your first year at UI, or you are a returning student, we are so glad you are here! Things have been out of the ordinary for a while now, but we are here to help you get back into the routine of school.
Meet our friendly and knowledgeable staff:
Kari Kozak, DirectorJames Cox, Public Services & Emerging Technologies LibrarianMarina Zhang, Engineering & Informatics LibrarianAmanda Bartel, Library Assistant III
Located right off the Student Commons, 2001SC, we are hard to miss. Come in and visit us Monday through Thursday 8:30 am – 10 pm and Friday 8:30 am – 6 pm. You can get in touch from anywhere through our online form, live chat, a phone call, or text. You can find all our contact methods here.
We would also love to have you stop in and explore the library and get to know our staff. Along with our four full-time professional staff, we have 10 student assistants. Come in to find a resource or study and you just might see a classmate at the front desk.
Make sure to explore our Tool Library where you can find the tools and technology you need. Forget to charge your phone or laptop? We have chargers for your phone, laptop, and graphing calculator that you can check out for 4 hours. We also have 3D scanners – including a Shining 3D EinScan 2XPro – a professional 3D digitizing solution for versatile applications. It offers an enhanced Handheld HD Scan Mode and enlarged scan range (312 x 204 mm) that you can use to capture 3D models of medium to large objects with high efficiency.
Need a camera? You can check out a standard DSLR, or try out a 360fly or a GoPro Hero 5 to capture the whole world around you. For your next virtual meeting you can try out the Owl – a video conference device combines a 360 degree lens and 8 omnidirectional microphones. If you want to record music or a podcast, check out the “Snowball” microphone to get professional studio-quality results.
We have hand tools – everything from hammers and heat guns to vice grips and wrench sets. You can also find circuits, specialty tools, and VR & AR in the Tool Library – check out the webpage and then stop in and check out the tape measure and hammer you need to fix that hand-me-down furniture from your older sibling!
Make sure to check out our library events. This semester we are offering workshops on how to solder, use a 3D printer, and more. Those looking to develop their research skills should make sure to make time for our online Research Scholars workshops, which focus on writing, research, and other scholarly skills. We also offer our Graduate Student Boot Camp twice a year. This 2-day event has workshops to help refine your thesis or dissertation, dedicated writing time, expert help, and food.
And yes, we do have books. You will find them on our lower level, along with our study carrels and 2 quiet spaces with comfy chairs, a “fireplace,” and an “aquarium.” On the main floor you will find have 2 study pods where you can work with a small group, 27 computer stations, two scanners, and two printers.
Visit our website to access online materials and databases. From the comfort of your own home you can access nearly 1,300 databases so you can get that one last citation for the paper you are writing last-minute.
Come in to see the Creative Space! The Lichtenberger Engineering Library in collaboration with the College of Engineering developed this space for students. There are 3D scanners, a VR station, computer collaboration tables, white boards and prototyping. It is a great space to gather with others on your design team to work on projects.
There are some events that are simply fun and let you know how much we appreciate you: Pi Day, Trivia, Sci-Fi Sundays, to name just a few. You won’t want to miss anything the Lichtenberger Engineering Library has to offer! Follow us @uienglib on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and check our home page regularly to find out the latest news and events
Reagan majored in Marketing with a minor in French Language and will be working in a full-time sales position at Kalderos. It is a pharmaceutical software start-up based in Chicago and Reagan will be moving there in August.
She has worked in the Engineering Library for a year and 3 months working with exhibits, graphics and data. She notes, “My job with the engineering library has greatly prepared me for the future. It has taught me how to best communicate with those around me, how to work well in teams, time-management skills, and the importance of enjoying your work environment.” Reagan was always willing to pitch in, compiling data, putting exhibits together, creating graphics for social media, were just some of her duties. She brought the information from her marketing classes helped adapt them to a library environment versus a business. I know her willingness to help out where needed and her cheerful smile will be missed!
One of her favorite memories is all the long days she spent in the business library studying and getting to know her fraternity brothers.
The Engineering Library staff want to say thank you to all our student employees, without them it would be difficult to keep the library open and impossible to provide as many services as we have during this unusual school year! This class of graduating seniors was hired before the Pandemic started, navigated the University closing in March 2020, and returned to work for the 2020/2021 school year with vastly different responsibilities from when they were hired.
Teagan received her Bachelor of Business in Finance and also received her certificate in Risk Management and Insurance. Her plan is to move back to Palatine, ILL and is excited to be interning with Aon Insurance this summer. While here at UI she made the Deans List, Vaughan Institute Virtue Scholarship, and the UI Libraries’ Student Employee Scholarship. Congrats, Teagan!
She worked for the Engineering Library from the beginning of her junior year. James Cox, Teagan’s supervisor, said, “Her dedication to providing excellent service to others will be missed in the library.” Teagan says, “This job has taught me so many things. Most importantly it has taught me how much I enjoy helping other people. Whatever I do in the future I want to make sure that it involves helping people! It has also improved my communication skills greatly and made me realize how much I enjoy conversing and interacting with strangers, which I think will be very beneficial in my future.”
Her favorite memory from her years at UI “… would have to be living in my sorority house my sophomore year. It was so much fun getting to live under the same roof as so many of my closest friends and made so many amazing friendships.” She continued, “All of the library staff and faculty have been so amazing and kind throughout my time working here. …This has hands down been the best job ever!! Going into the future I know I am going to look back at this experience and think to myself how lucky I was to work here. I miss it already and I haven’t even left yet!”
The staff of the Engineering Library want to say thank you to all our student employees, without them it would be difficult to keep the library open and impossible to provide as many services as we have during this unusual school year! This class of graduating seniors was hired before the Pandemic started, navigated the University closing in March 2020, and returned to work for the 2020/2021 school year with vastly different responsibilities from when they were hired.
