Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed an antimicrobial gel that can halt bleeding when applied to a wound. After placement, the material expands into a foam-like mass that seals the injury while delivering disinfection. The findings were reported in a peer-reviewed materials science study.
The goal was to find a simple, ready-to-use solution for immediate field deployment after injury. In trauma settings, stopping bleeding within the first 30 minutes is a decisive factor in survival, and this work focuses on making that window more manageable for responders in North America.
The material, called SilFoam, is a gel-like substance built from siloxanes and is delivered through a specialized two-chamber syringe. The delivery method resembles polyurethane foam used in construction to seal seams in buildings, offering a familiar form for rapid handling in the field.
SilFoam can expand to as much as seven times its original volume, creating a spongy mass that both seals the wound and provides antimicrobial action due to silver oxide in its formulation. Bleeding can be controlled in under a minute in many cases, making it a rapid option for emergency care and first aid kits across North America.
The foam adheres to tissue sufficiently to stay in place yet can be removed without causing pain or skin damage during removal, which supports use in high-stress environments where quick reassessment is common.
Another practical advantage is that no pre-treatment or preparation is required for the system to work, and syringes filled with the gel can be stored at room temperature. This makes SilFoam an appealing option for field kits used by emergency responders, military personnel, and civilian providers in Canada and the United States alike.
In related notes, researchers in Russia reported a material described as capable of stopping arterial bleeding within about 40 seconds, a benchmark that underscores the ongoing search for rapid hemostatic solutions in trauma care.
Experts emphasize that while these results offer promising avenues, the approach is still in early stages. More testing and regulatory review are needed before any clinical use, but the concept points toward a practical, field-ready method to reduce blood loss and infection risk in severe injuries across North America.