Kathmandu: Scientists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a rapid-acting and stable powdered hemostat capable of stopping bleeding in just one second, a breakthrough expected to significantly improve survival rates in battlefields and emergency situations.
Severe bleeding remains a leading cause of death from combat-related injuries. To address this challenge, KAIST’s research team aimed to create a fast and reliable method to halt hemorrhage. The team included an active-duty army major to ensure practical applicability. The result is a powder-based hemostatic agent that can be directly applied to a wound to immediately stop bleeding.
Announced on December 29, the research was led by Professor Steve Park and Professor Sangyong Jeon of the Department of Biological Sciences. The powder rapidly forms a strong hydrogel barrier upon contact with the wound.
Designed with real battlefield conditions in mind, the agent can instantly solidify in harsh environments such as combat zones or disaster areas and remains stable during storage, making it ideal for emergency use. Unlike conventional patch-type hemostatic products, which are difficult to apply to deep or irregular wounds and are sensitive to temperature and humidity, the powdered agent can be used in wounds of various sizes and depths.
The newly developed “AGCL Powder” is composed of natural biomaterials, including alginate, gellan gum, and chitosan. These substances react with calcium ions in blood to form a gel within one second, sealing the wound immediately.
AGCL Powder can absorb more than seven times its own weight in blood, effectively stopping blood flow even under high pressure or severe hemorrhage. Its sealing capacity has been shown to outperform commercial products. Fully composed of natural materials, the powder is proven safe for direct contact with blood. Animal tests demonstrated accelerated wound healing and promoted reconstruction of blood vessels and collagen.
This innovation is expected to be a game-changer for military medicine and emergency care, offering a rapid, reliable, and safe solution for life-threatening bleeding.
