Smart wound dressings glow to indicate infection

Developed by scientists and engineers at RMIT University in Melbourne, the smart dressings harness the antibacterial and antifungal properties of magnesium hydroxide.

Smart bandage designed to detect infection

Digital bandage treats chronic wounds

They are cheaper to produce than silver-based dressings but equally as effective in fighting bacteria and fungi, with their antimicrobial properties lasting up to a week.

Project leader Dr Vi Khanh Truong said the development of cost-effective antimicrobial dressings with built-in healing sensors would be a significant advance in wound care.

"Currently the only way to check the progress of wounds is by removing bandage dressings, which is both painful and risky, giving pathogens the chance to attack," said Truong, a Vice-Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellow at RMIT.

"The smart dressings we've developed not only fight bacteria and reduce inflammation to help promote healing, they also have glowing sensors to track and monitor for infection.

"Being able to easily see if something is going wrong would reduce the need for frequent dressing changes and help to keep wounds better protected.