Study on Trades of Unwanted Reagents on University of Toyama via Relational Database Management System for Chemicals

Abstract

   Trades of unwanted reagents have been studied for five fiscal years (2005-2009) on University of Toyama, via relational database system for chemicals. There were total 635 reagents available at our online trading system (virtual stockroom), and 30.7% of reagents were reassigned to other laboratories for the period. As a result, these actions lead to save \1,044,814. Actually, this circulation system has been used by 40% of laboratories which use chemicals. For example, retiring professors registered most of their unexpended substances. On one hand, organic chemists tended to collect a lot of materials from others. Eighty five percent trades were achieved not intra-department but inter-department transactions. If there was no request for two months, remaindered things might be disposed. Basically, trade ratios depend on the number of users. In particular, the favorable chemicals were likely to be dealt which were used for washing or neutralization, such as organic solvents, acids, and alkaline reagents. In addition, unopened bottle were welcome conditions for pick up.