The Download: faking blood and the future of batteries

In February 2007, a US military helicopter transporting blood to a field hospital in Iraq was shot down, killing all seven crew members.

This incident highlighted the risks of transporting blood, which has a limited shelf life and is often scarce in combat zones.

To address this, the US military launched a $73 million project with DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) to develop shelf-stable versions of blood products like plasma, platelets, and red blood cells.

The goal is to create dried blood products that can be stored for long periods and quickly deployed on battlefields.

Researchers aim to have these dried blood products ready for use by 2029.

However, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding the safety and effectiveness of synthetic alternatives.

The project underscores the military's push to improve medical logistics and reduce risks associated with blood supply chains in high-risk environments.