Stopping bleeding as quickly as possible can be crucial in an emergency, surgery, or accident. However, it’s not always easy, especially when wounds are deep, irregular, or difficult to cover with standard materials.

A research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology ( KAIST ) has developed a new powdered material that rapidly transforms into a gel upon contact with blood. The research, published in Advanced Functional Materials , presents AGCL, a hemostatic powder that utilizes calcium from blood itself to form a hydrogel barrier in approximately one second, which then adheres to the wound. 

This rapid transformation of the element allows the material to absorb blood, cover the damaged area, and help stop the bleeding. Because it comes in powder form, it can also easily adapt to wounds of different shapes and sizes. In tests, the new material reduced both bleeding and the time needed to stop it. Furthermore, it demonstrated antibacterial properties and good cell compatibility.

The results also indicate that its usefulness could extend beyond simply stopping bleeding. In animal studies, treated wounds showed improved formation of skin, blood vessels, and new tissue. Another advantage is its shelf life: the powder can be stored for extended periods at room temperature, facilitating its use and transport.

For now, this is preclinical research, and further studies will be necessary before this material can be used in humans. Even so, its characteristics make it a promising prospect for future applications in surgery, traumatology, and emergency medicine.

Source: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.202523910

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