That's great, but can I eat it?

the old fashioned styptic pencil, used to stop bleeding from shaving cuts used anhydrous aluminum sulfate. You talk about something that hurt!

It's kind of ridiculous that this sort of thing is called "nanotech" - twenty years ago, we would have just stopped short of calling it "medical science" or "good chemistry". Now the only way people can get grant money is if they some-how sex up their research proposals and projects by calling it "nano-tech" or "nano-biology". It's all BS.

@botanicidal: i agree thats BS that they are calling it nano tech cuz there no technology going just somewhat basic bio chemistry that is kinda surprising that someone didnt think of it before now

@botanicidal: I agree too...

Can we here at io9 stop using Nano in front of everything that is small scale...

This gauze is cool enough that we can talk about it without using nano- ...

I read the Wired magazine article, and no one they quote says "nanoparticles"...

The process uses aluminosilicate particles as clot activators... It is a cool molecular biochemistry concept...

Of course they are nanoscale.. what are you going to use macroscale particles "I'm using my hand to apply pressure"

Please, please lets cut back on the nano- unless it is some nano-device..

Almost all particles are nanoparticles... what is next nano-molecules

Aluminosilicate clay absorbs moisture and solidifies stuff. What a nano-discovery!!

In my house, we call it Kaopectate, suitable for people, cats, dogs...

Isn't the military using something similar in a powder form called QuikClot or something based on volcanic dust?

cool. the herb comfrey also works the same way. if you boil two pieces of meat with a comfrey leave they will join together. guess that's why it's also known as knitbone.

Just as long as it doesn't cause too much of your blood to clot, because that might be a problem (stroke, heart attack, limb ischemia, etc).

I agree with stopping the Nano madness. Nanotech is the new but still old chemistry. Then again, telling your friends you are taking Nanotech 101 sounds cooler than Organic Chem 101.

Nanotech like this is also used when spiderwebs are gathered and used as a natural gauze. I think I saw an elf do it once, or maybe it was a fairy. Hard to tell at times.

In addition this isn't even a new product, it's just re-purposed from testing to see if you clot to making you clot.

*Smacks forehead* Doh! We could have been saving lives all these years with something thats just been sitting around.