After the completion of research projects, the surplus research products orprototypes are eitherstored, consuming a lot of space, or disposed/land filled, incurring cost(significantly in the caseof hazardous products or prototypes). Often unrelated researchers at adifferent geographicallocation may require the same products or prototypes to advance research inthe same field or anentirely different field. In the absence of an efficient method for exchangingthe surplus researchproducts or prototypes, replication of the original research to recreate theresearch product orprototype of choice is the only alternative as these products are notcommercially available. Thereplication of research to produce these products/prototypes is usually time-consuming,expensive, needs a lot of expertise, and generates wastes/hazardous wastes(e.g., in the case ofchemicals). Hazardous wastes are an environmental concern. To solve thisproblem, we havedevised a web-based technology platform where researchers having the surplusproducts/prototypes (owners) can display their products, and the researchersrequiring thoseproducts (seekers) can search and locate the source of theseproducts/prototypes. The platformcan also facilitate financial compensation to the owners by the seekers fortheproducts/prototypes exchanged. This not only saves research funds bypreventing the duplicationof research, but also saves environment by diverting/minimizing wastes andexpedites researchand development through the availability of starting materials/intermediates.Thus, the fullpotential of a product/prototype can be explored through our efficientexchange platform.Moreover, some of the research funds can be recovered by generating revenuefrom the sale ofthe products/prototypes.
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