‘Nanofiber Bandages’ to Heal Wounds Faster

Daniel Smith and Darell Reneker, researchers at the University of Akron have developed a new type of Nanofiber based bandages that can speed up the healing process of the human body. The duo used electricity to spin ultrafine polymer fibers and infused them with chemicals so that the wound is always open to oxygen. The result is a bandage that can kill bacteria and also speed up the slow healing process. The bandage is extremely helpful for diabetics as their wounds don’t heal that easily. The reason behind this is that diabetics don’t produce nitric oxide gas that is an important chemical for body repair. The bandages release this chemical which helps the diabetics get rid of their wounds as soon as possible. The bandages are also inexpensive, lightweight and elastic and they stay on the wound without sticking on to it. The first human trials are being done in Columbia and the researchers believe that the results will definitely win them FDA approval. Smith also commented that the bandages will be ready for production by 2008.