KAIST develops powder that stops severe bleeding within seconds

Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a new powder-based technology that can stop severe bleeding within seconds, offering a potential breakthrough for emergency and battlefield medicine.

The hemostatic agent, developed by a KAIST research team with input from an active-duty military officer, turns into a gel roughly one second after being applied to a wound, effectively sealing it and rapidly halting blood loss.

Severe hemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of death from traumatic injuries. The newly developed material, known as AGCL powder, features a three-dimensional structure capable of absorbing more than seven times its own weight in fluid, allowing it to block blood flow even in high-pressure bleeding cases.

Researchers say the material also demonstrates stronger adhesion and resistance to manual pressure than existing commercial products, making it suitable for use in combat zones and emergency response settings.

The team expects the technology to significantly improve outcomes in critical trauma care once further testing and commercialization processes are completed.