Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), together with South Korean military personnel, have developed an aerosol powder called AGCL that can stop severe bleeding in about one second. The product is intended for use in emergencies.
The powder is sprayed onto a wound and, on contact with blood, quickly turns into a dense hydrogel. It forms a sealed barrier without requiring pressure or the precise application of a bandage. The material is based on biocompatible polymers — alginate, gellan gum and chitosan. Chitosan speeds up blood clotting, while calcium ions trigger the gelling process.
The resulting gel can absorb more than seven times its own mass in liquid and remains stable at high temperatures and humidity. In preclinical tests, the product proved effective even in complex injuries, including liver wounds: bleeding stopped quickly, and the tissues showed signs of recovery.
The development has not yet been approved for clinical use, but it is seen as a promising tool for emergency care, especially in settings where prompt surgical treatment is unavailable.
