Design Resources

Compiled by Charles Sullivan, Assistant Professor, Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College

Thomas Register, a huge index to all kinds of industrial products. If you want to find a company who makes a type of part or device you need, this is the first place to look.
IC Master, an index to integrated circuits by function. Rather than designing a circuit, use this index to find a ready-made IC that does what you want.
DigiKey, an electronics distributor whose catalog is a great resource; their website includes links to manufacturers web sites.
Design Info, a searchable database of specifications in a limited number of product areas.

MatWeb, a large searchable database of materials with many properties listed. Search for the property you need, or check out a material you are interested in using.
Environmental impacts of common materials, including fabrics, plastics, metals, etc., from Patagonia's work on their products. The assessment of their environmental impacts is brief, but a good start.

INSPEC database, a comprehensive index to technical literature in electrical engineering and physics. Access from Dartmouth College.
IBM Patent Server, Index to US patents.

Human Factors
- Bad Human Factors Designs, A fun compendium of examples of things that are not well designed to be easy to use.
Design for Environment and Sustainability
- Patagonia has done some very careful study of the environmental impacts of there products, and worked hard to improve them. This site includes information on their program and a very useful a list of materials, including fabrics, plastics, metals, etc., with a brief assessment of their environmental impacts.
- McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry. A company dedicated to "ecologically intelligent design," maintains this site explaining their philosophy, and including links to McDonough's writings (highly recommended) on the topic.