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Nanoparticle Infused Gauze Quickly Stanches Wounds

jackieduvall writes "Medical gauze has received its first upgrade since World War I. Chemists have infused it with nanoparticles derived from kaolin clay, which somehow give it an amazing ability to stop severe bleeding. It was developed when the Navy approached a team of inorganic chemists at the University of California Santa Barbara to solve a problem with QuikClot, a zeolite-based hemostatic agent that became way too hot and caused burns when it came in contact with water or blood. While performing blood clotting tests, they realized that kaolin clay, which has been used as a control for clotting experiments since the 1950s, could also be used as a first aid product." There is a video demonstration alongside the article. It shows the gauze halting the bleeding from a pig's aorta. The blood isn't excessive, but if you're bothered by that sort of thing, you may want to skip the video.

5 of 155 comments (clear)

  1. Animal Cruelty by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It doesn't say what happened to the pig. I have to hope there was a BBQ afterward.

    1. Re:Animal Cruelty by stoolpigeon · · Score: 5, Funny

      There was - and I don't know if it was the anesthesia or the nano-particles - but it tasted funny.

      --
      It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
  2. Sounds by Kamineko · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sounds like a gauze for celebration!

  3. Ah... by jd · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's fine for people with blood, but what happens to those of us who are caffeine-based lifeforms?

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    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  4. Re:Also works for the runs... by SoupGuru · · Score: 3, Funny

    I wish my wife thought "nano" things are sexy.

    --
    What doesn't kill you only delays the inevitable