Patents and patent applications often published earlier than academic papers. Canada has about 2.5 million and the USA over 6 Million granted patents representing 150 years of technology. If you are an inventor, you should be aware of relevant prior art in your technology. If you are an entrepreneur, you should monitor your competitors' new products, and where they are patented. If you are involved in applied research, you need to review new and pending patents in your discipline.
Patents are the first place to look.
An electronic index to the U.S. patent records. Defines the type of product covered by each class and subclass. An alphabetical index to the Manual of Classification. A numerical listing of all classes and subclasses. A listing of patents issued each week.