searching-academic-outputs-with-dimensions

# Overview

Query the Dimensions academic database to find publications, grants, patents, clinical trials, and researchers using the shortwing CLI.

Queries use the Dimensions Search Language (DSL) piped to shortwing.

**Reference Documentation:**
- [dsl-reference.md](dsl-reference.md) — Full DSL syntax, operators, fields, and example queries

**Authentication:** Requires API key from https://app.dimensions.ai/account/tokens. Configure credentials in `~/.dimensions/dsl.ini` or use environment variables (`DIMENSIONS_KEY`, `DIMENSIONS_ENDPOINT`). See Authentication section in [dsl-reference.md](dsl-reference.md) for details.

# Quick Start

```bash
# Search publications
echo 'search publications for "machine learning" return publications limit 10' | shortwing

# Search grants
echo 'search grants for "artificial intelligence" return grants[title+funding_usd] limit 10' | shortwing

# Find researchers
echo 'search researchers for "John Smith" return researchers[first_name+last_name+current_research_org] limit 10' | shortwing
```

# Query Structure

```
search <source> [for "<terms>"] [where <filters>] return <result> [limit N]
```

# Available Sources

| Source | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `publications` | Research papers, articles, books |
| `grants` | Research funding awards |
| `patents` | Patent applications and grants |
| `clinical_trials` | Clinical trial records |
| `researchers` | Researcher profiles |
| `datasets` | Research datasets |

# Common Query Patterns

| Task | Query |
|------|-------|
| Search by keyword | `search publications for "CRISPR" return publications limit 20` |
| Filter by year | `search publications where year=2024 return publications limit 10` |
| Search title only | `search publications in title_only for "climate change" return publications limit 10` |
| Highly cited papers | `search publications for "AI" where times_cited>100 return publications sort by times_cited desc limit 10` |
| Grants by funder | `search grants where f