The Secrets of Jell-O May Save Your Life

The science behind the wondrous transformation of a liquid into a jiggly gel underlies the work that Srinivasa Raghavan, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, is doing with new materials that can treat wounds and deliver medications.

The Patrick and Marguerite Sung Professor of Chemical Engineering, Raghavan heads the Complex Fluids Lab in the A. James Clark School of Engineering, where a team led by graduate student Matthew Dowling created Nano-Velcro. The patent-pending substance has led to a sponge bandage that can be applied to stop profuse bleeding, and a spray that can stop blood loss during minor surgical procedures.

Nano-Velcro has won the attention of venture capitalists in several business plan and new venture competitions across the country. It is just one example of how researchers under Raghavan’s direction are developing innovative technology. Other teams are working with so called “smart” fluids that can change from liquid to gel, or vice versa, when exposed to light. This holds promise for keeping medication in place to treat such problems as cartilage damage in a knee.