One of the most common causes of death from injuries in war is heavy bleeding.
But now, a group of scientists from KAIST in South Korea has created a powerful new solution that could save many lives. They developed a special powder that can quickly stop bleeding just by spraying it onto a wound.
This new powder acts within just one second. When it touches blood, it turns into a strong gel that seals the wound and stops the bleeding right away. This breakthrough is a big step forward in saving the lives of injured soldiers and could also help in emergencies like natural disasters or accidents in remote areas.
The research team was led by Professor Steve Park from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor Sangyong Jon from the Department of Biological Sciences. An Army Major, Kyusoon Park, who is also a Ph.D. candidate, took part in the research to help design a product that would work well in real combat situations.
The results of this work were published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. Unlike older types of hemostatic (bleeding control) products—like medical patches—this new powder can be used on deep, large, or oddly shaped wounds.
Patches are flat and often don’t work well on complex injuries, especially in rough environments. They also don’t store well in hot or humid places. But this new powder overcomes those problems.
The powder is called “AGCL powder.” It is made from natural, safe ingredients, including Alginate and Gellan Gum. These materials react with calcium in blood to form a fast-acting gel.
The powder also contains Chitosan, which helps chemically bind with blood and further supports clotting. When AGCL powder is sprayed on a wound, it reacts with the blood and becomes a gel in just one second.
The powder has a special design that lets it absorb more than seven times its own weight in blood. It can stop bleeding even when there’s a lot of blood flow and pressure. In tests, it sealed wounds better than other commercial products. It sticks so well that it can handle strong hand pressure—over 40 kilopascals.
Tests in animals showed that the powder is safe. It didn’t damage red blood cells and helped wounds heal faster. It also helped new blood vessels and skin tissue grow back.
In surgery tests involving the liver, animals treated with AGCL powder bled less and healed faster than those treated with other products. Their liver function was normal again just two weeks after surgery. There were no signs of toxic side effects.
Another great thing about this powder is that it lasts a long time. It stays effective for up to two years, even when kept at room temperature or in high humidity. This makes it perfect for military use, emergency kits, or hospitals in developing countries.
Although this product was made with the military in mind, it can be used anywhere people need fast, simple treatment for serious bleeding. It’s a good example of how military science can help everyday people too.
Army Major Kyusoon Park, who helped develop the product, said he joined the project to help save lives. “The most important goal in modern war is to reduce the number of people who die,” he said. “I hope this new powder will become a life-saving tool not just for soldiers, but for people everywhere.”
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