When an inventor develops a product, they will often patent the product to make sure no one else develops the same thing and takes credit for it.  Are you wondering whether someone has made a device similar to the one you want to make? You can see if the idea has been patented by searching in InnovationQ Plus, Derwent, or the US patent database.

When someone makes a new product, they have to make sure it follows the standards for that type of product. Are you wondering what published standards there are for the product you want to make? You can see what regulations exist by searching in the IEEE database or on the ASTM website.

• IEEE Published Standards (select "Standards" from the dropdown menu next to the search bar)
• ASTM Standards - click on the appropriate standards category, search for the standard number, or search by keyword     
  You can request an ASTM standard by filling out a form on the library website.

Some standards publishers are making COVID-19 related standards (those that relate to medical equipment, gowns, and gloves) freely available.