Researchers at an American university developed an innovative technology inspired by ancient clay that could save thousands of lives.

Innovation to stop bleeding (illustrative image)

Smart bandages that stop blood loss in minutes

In severe injuries, rapid bleeding can be the difference between life and death. During what is known as the "golden hour" after an injury, many patients lose their lives due to severe hemorrhagic shock resulting from massive blood loss.

Now, researchers at Texas A&M University have developed an innovative technology inspired by ancient clay that could extend this critical hour and save thousands of lives. A team from the Department of Biomedical Engineering is working on injectable hemostatic bandages designed for cases of deep internal bleeding that cannot be controlled with traditional external pressure.

Two studies published in the journals Advanced Science and Advanced Functional Materials showed that these new materials can reduce blood clotting time by nearly 70%. Under normal conditions, blood takes six to seven minutes to clot. With the new bandages, clotting time is reduced to just one or two minutes, giving the injured person a precious opportunity to reach medical care.

An Old Idea with Modern Technology

The idea was based on a historical observation: ancient civilizations in China, Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, Greece, and Rome used clay pastes to stop bleeding, thanks to their absorbent properties and ability to adhere to tissues. However, using natural clay carries the risk of infection.

 

Therefore, researchers developed artificial microparticles based on nanosilicates that stimulate the clotting process more quickly and safely. 

The challenge was not only in stimulating clotting but also in keeping the particles in place at the site of bleeding. Strong blood flow could wash away the powders or pastes, potentially leading to the formation of dangerous clots in other parts of the body.

To solve this problem, the researchers incorporated the nanoparticles into an expandable foam. The material remains stable inside the injection device, but reacts to body heat upon entering the wound, expanding and filling the space completely.

 

This seals the ruptured blood vessels, holding the particles in place. Because the foam transforms into a single, cohesive mass, the risk of particles breaking off and migrating through the bloodstream is virtually nonexistent.

Researchers at an American university have developed an innovative technology inspired by ancient clay, extending the critical hour and potentially saving thousands of lives.

An innovation to stop bleeding (illustrative image) 

In another approach, a research team developed a material in the form of microscopic strips coated with coagulation-inducing particles. Each strip consists of two materials, one of which shrinks with body heat. Once injected into the injury site, the strips begin to coil and interlock, forming a foam structure that effectively stops the bleeding. Even if a strip breaks off, its size prevents it from migrating through the bloodstream, thus enhancing safety.

Researchers are working to develop a simple device that can be used in ambulances, on battlefields, or even by the injured themselves, without the need for complex surgical equipment. The team asserts that incorporating these materials into first-aid kits could save between 30% and 40% of hemorrhagic shock victims—a figure that could represent a major shift in critical care.

While further clinical trials are needed before the technology can be widely adopted, combining the wisdom of ancient medicine with modern bioengineering techniques could open a new chapter in saving lives from life-threatening bleeding.