South Korean scientists create life-saving spray to stop bleeding instantly

Imagine a spray that can stop severe bleeding almost instantly.

Researchers in South Korea say they’ve created exactly that — a breakthrough that could transform how serious wounds are treated on battlefields, in ambulances, and in emergency rooms.

The next-generation hemostatic (bleeding-control) agent is being developed primarily for military personnel and emergency medical teams. However, because it’s so simple to use, experts believe it could eventually become common in civilian first-aid kits as well. Severe bleeding is the leading cause of potentially survivable deaths in the minutes and hours after traumatic injuries, especially in combat zones or remote areas where medical evacuation can take a long time.

In the field, paramedics could spray the powder onto gunshot wounds, car crash injuries, falls, or other traumatic accidents to stabilize patients long enough to reach a hospital.

Scientists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) developed the innovative spray-on powder, which turns into a soft, flexible gel the moment it comes into contact with blood. Their findings were published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. The gel quickly molds to the shape of the wound, sealing it almost immediately — even if the injury is deep, irregular, or difficult to access.

Collage of President Kwang-Hyung Lee, Ph.D candidate Youngju Son, and Ph.D candidate Kyusoon Park, with images of Professor Steve Park and Professor Sangyong Jon above. — The team of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) scientists who researched and developed the life-saving spray are Professor Steve Park (upper left circle) and Professor Sangyong Jon (upper right circle). Standing (left to right) are President Kwang-Hyung Lee, Ph.D candidate Youngju Son and Ph.D candidate Kyusoon Park. KAIST

Traditional bandages and gauze often struggle to control heavy bleeding quickly, particularly in chaotic situations such as battlefields, natural disasters, traffic accidents, or household injuries.

This new powder works through a rapid chemical reaction. In less than a second, it forms a strong gel that seals the wound and accelerates clotting. Remarkably, all of its ingredients come from natural sources:

Alginate, extracted from brown seaweed
Gellan gum, a natural thickener produced through bacterial fermentation
Chitosan, derived from the shells of crustaceans and insects

Together, these components form a compound known as AGCL. Alginate and gellan gum create the gel structure, while chitosan attracts red blood cells and platelets, helping them clump together to stop bleeding even faster.

Illustration of a person spraying white powder from a bottle onto a wound, which immediately turns into a purple gel. — The spray-on powder being developed by scientists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), promises to stop heavy bleeding in as little as one second, saving soldiers’ lives on the battlefield, along with civilian accident victims. KAIST

AGCL isn’t just fast — it’s highly absorbent. The gel can soak up to seven times its own weight in blood, making it effective for extreme bleeding situations.

It also offers natural antibacterial properties that support healing without damaging surrounding tissue. Another major advantage is its durability: the powder can be stored at room temperature for up to two years and remains effective in hot, humid, and harsh environments.

According to the CDC, approximately 31,000 Americans die each year from preventable bleeding. In combat situations, hemorrhage accounts for more than 90% of potentially survivable battlefield deaths, regardless of blood type.

“The core of modern welfare is minimizing the loss of human life,” said Kyusoon Park, a KAIST scientist involved in the project, in a statement on the institute’s website. “I began this research with a mission to save even one more soldier. I hope this technology will serve as a life-saving tool in both defense and civilian medicine.”

KAIST has not yet announced when the spray will become publicly available.

Original Source