July 1, 2016 (Vol. 36, No. 13)
Rating:
Strong Points: Easy-to-use
Weak Points: Must select options from predefined list, dead links
Platform:
iPad/iPhone
Cost:
Free
Summary:
As a quick reference for use in the lab, the Cole-Parmer chemical compatibility database app can be quite handy. The app is very simple and allows users to check the compatibility of specific chemicals with various materials that may be used for chemical storage or handling. On the home screen of the app, users are prompted to select either a material or a chemical from the preloaded lists within the app. (While certainly not exhaustive, the lists—especially that for the chemicals—do include a large number of options.) Selecting the “see results” button then displays the list of chemicals (if a material was specified) or materials (if a chemical was specified) with their compatibility scores for the user-defined parameter. Alternatively, users can quickly query the compatibility of specific material-chemical pairs using the app.
