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.

Comments

Re:Humph... This happens a lot

[Mursk]

I think the difference is that this gauze can be used fairly easily and quickly by just about anyone. The gel mentioned in the linked article seems like it would be more for operative use by surgeons (the summary mentions eye surgery). They are somewhat similar, but this still seems to represent something "new."

Re:Animal Cruelty

[SoyChemist]

Nanoparticles make everything taste like chicken. That is the power of nanoscience. Anyway, research animals should be eaten if the substances which were used on them are safe.

A brief history of kaolin

[the Dragonweaver]

Clay- all clay- is basically a mixture of kaolin, water, and larger particles (sand or "grog"- crushed clay bits.) Clays with a low percentage of kaolin and a high percentage of inclusions are low-fire clays, such as terra cotta, while a high percentage of kaolin is necessary for high-fire clays such as porcelin.

Porcelin clays are fired between three and four thousand degrees in order to vitrify- which means, to melt and fuse together. Glazes, which are based in sand and metal, vitrify at a lower temperature, which is why pots have two firings, the first to make them pots instead of shaped clay, and the second to decorate them.

Kaolin is not quite as common as dirt or sand but it is found all over the world and not too difficult to obtain. A good college ceramics department will have a barrel on hand.

The upshot of this, I guess, is that if you are foolish enough to stick your hand into a clay mixer, which is like a Kitchen Aid stand mixer on steroids, and get your hand torn off, sticking your hand into the barrel of kaolin dust would be amazingly good first aid.

Re:A brief history of kaolin

[Anonymous Coward]

No, "clay" may consist of a considerable number of different clay minerals, of which kaolin group minerals are only one part. Illite, and smectite clays like montmorillonite, along with kaolin group clays and a couple others, are pervasive. Other phyllosilicates (sheet silicates) may also be considered clays. Most of the stuff we call "clay" consists of some significant percentage of these various clay minerals in more-or-less loose aggregates of microscopic crystals, along with anything else, such as water, miscellaneous mineral grains, and sand, that might get mixed up with the clay minerals. As for what is considered "clay" and what isn't, it depends on context. A geologist in the field, mineralogist, and ceramic artist might all cut their answer different ways.

Re:A brief history of kaolin

[Anonymous Coward]

"Clay- all clay- is basically a mixture of kaolin, water, and larger particles ..."

You have the right idea, except for the "all clay" part. Kaolinite is only one of the many other clay minerals that exist, such as illite, dickite, montmorillonite, and on and on. Next to quartz, clay minerals are probably the most common minerals observed on the surface of the Earth. There are dozens of common clay minerals and many more uncommon ones. It's a diverse family of hydrated aluminum silicate minerals with the silicate tetrahedra arranged in sheets (i.e. phyllosilicates).

In summary, it is quite possible to have a clay that doesn't have any kaolinite in it, although for porcelin use, you are right that it is usually the preferred clay used in the mix.

nano technology?

[icebike]

Since when does grinding something small constitute nanotechnology?

I'd have to take such characterization with a grain of nano calcium chloride.

Clotting for non-clotters?

[gruvmeister]

Being that kaolin clay binds with water and causes clotting, does this mean that this stuff will work on people who have clotting issues, such as those on blood thinning medications or hemophiliacs?