SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a powder-based hemostatic agent that can stop heavy bleeding within approximately one second of contact. The technology is designed to improve the survival rates of soldiers in combat environments where excessive blood loss is the leading cause of death.
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on December 29 that a joint research team led by Professor Steve Park from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor Jeon Sang-yong from the Department of Biological Sciences created the material. The project included the participation of an active-duty South Korean Army major to ensure the technology meets the practical demands of the battlefield.
Traditional hemostatic agents often come in the form of patches, which are difficult to apply to deep or irregularly shaped wounds. These patches can also lose effectiveness in high-temperature or humid environments. To overcome these limitations, the KAIST team developed a powder that can be sprinkled directly into any wound shape, instantly forming a strong physical barrier.
The new material, named AGCL powder, is made from natural substances including alginate, gellan gum, and chitosan. When the powder touches blood, it reacts with calcium ions naturally present in the body. This reaction causes the powder to turn into a solid hydrogel in about one second, sealing the wound. Chitosan further strengthens this seal by binding with blood components.
The AGCL powder can absorb blood weighing more than seven times its own weight. In testing, it demonstrated a sealing pressure of over 40 kilopascals, which is strong enough to withstand heavy, high-pressure bleeding even when external pressure is applied by hand. This performance significantly exceeds that of existing commercial products.
Animal testing showed that the powder is safe and promotes healing. It resulted in a hemolysis rate of less than 3 percent and a cell survival rate of over 99 percent, while also providing 99.9 percent antibacterial protection. In liver surgery experiments, the powder reduced blood loss and shortened bleeding time compared to current medical products, with liver functions returning to normal within two weeks.
The powder remains stable for two years even when stored at room temperature in high humidity. This durability makes it suitable for use in combat zones, disaster areas, or regions with limited medical infrastructure. While developed for military use, the researchers noted the technology can be applied to civilian emergency medicine and surgical procedures.
"The core of modern warfare is minimizing the loss of life," said Park Kyu-soon, a doctoral student at KAIST and a major in the South Korean Army who served as the first author of the study. "I started this research with a sense of mission to save even one more soldier. I hope this technology will be used to save lives in both national defense and civilian medical fields."
The research was supported by KAIST and received the Minister of National Defense Award at the 2024 KAIST-KNDU Defense Academic Conference.
(Paper information)
Journal: Advanced Functional Materials (impact factor 19.0) Title: An Ionic Gelation Powder for Ultrafast Hemostasis and Accelerated Wound Healing
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202523910
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