DAEJEON — Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon have developed a spray-on hemostatic agent known as AGCL powder. The powder is designed to stop severe bleeding in approximately one second by forming a hydrogel barrier upon contact with blood.

The research team was led by Professor Steve Park of KAIST's Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor Sangyong Jon of the Department of Biological Sciences. The AGCL powder combines three components: alginate, gellan gum, and chitosan. Alginate and gellan gum react with calcium to facilitate rapid gelation and physical sealing, while chitosan bonds with blood components to enhance chemical and biological hemostasis.

The powder is capable of absorbing 725% of its own weight in blood and maintained its performance for two years when stored under room temperature and high humidity conditions. During testing, AGCL powder achieved an adhesive strength exceeding 40kPa. In surgical liver injury experiments conducted on animals, the powder reduced both blood loss and the time needed to stop bleeding compared to other commercial hemostatic products.

Laboratory testing indicated a hemolysis rate below 3% and a cell viability rate above 99% for AGCL powder. It also demonstrated an antibacterial effect of 99.9%. Animal studies showed that liver function returned to normal within two weeks following surgery that utilized AGCL powder, and researchers found no evidence of systemic toxicity.

The study was published online on October 28, 2025, in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. The research received the Minister of National Defense Award at the 2024 KAIST-KNDU National Defense Academic Conference and the 2025 KAIST Q-Day President's Award. The National Research Foundation of Korea supported the research.