Researchers have developed a powdered spray that instantly transforms into a gel upon contact with blood, molding itself to the shape of the wound. This innovative product can significantly improve the effectiveness of first aid in severe injuries, especially in combat and other life-threatening situations.

The Problem of Bleeding on the Battlefield

In combat conditions, stopping bleeding is a critical factor for survival. Blood loss is the leading cause of death in the first hours after trauma and is the main preventable cause of fatalities in war. It is particularly difficult to stop bleeding from deep or jagged wounds, where standard methods are often not effective enough.

Development of a New Solution

In search of a solution, scientists from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), including an active-duty army officer, created a powder that reacts with cations (such as calcium in blood) and turns into a gel within one second. This gel instantly seals even complex and deep wounds.

Composition and Mechanism of Action

The product consists of three natural components:

• Alginate — a substance derived from brown seaweed;
• Gellan — a natural thickener produced by bacteria during fermentation;
• Chitosan — a powder extracted from the shells of crustaceans, insects, and the cell walls of fungi.

Alginate and gellan quickly transition from powder to gel-like form when in contact with blood. Chitosan, which carries a positive charge, attracts negatively charged red blood cells and platelets, promoting their clumping and rapid blood clotting.

The powder is named AGCL — an abbreviation formed from the first letters of its components and the letter "L," symbolizing the link between them.

Additional Advantages

The ingredients in AGCL have antibacterial properties and promote tissue regeneration: in animal tests, cell viability exceeded 99%. The gel can absorb more than seven times its own weight in blood, making it effective even for heavy bleeding. AGCL retains its properties for up to two years at room temperature and is resistant to high humidity and extreme conditions.

Test Results

In experiments on mice with surgical liver injuries, AGCL outperformed modern hemostatic agents. Moreover, liver function was restored just two weeks after application of the product.

Application Prospects

Although the product was initially developed for military use, researchers note that AGCL could also be valuable in civilian medicine — both for emergency care and in surgery.

“The essence of modern warfare is minimizing human losses,” says KAIST graduate student and researcher Kyusun Pak. “I began this research with the hope of saving even a single soldier. I hope this technology will help save lives both in national defense and in civilian medicine.”