Revolution in Wound Care: DAE Launches NO-Based Dressing Material

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has announced two major scientific breakthroughs — the launch of India’s first nitric-oxide wound dressing for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and the release of a rare earth Certified Reference Material (CRM) for mineral research. These innovations mark a significant step in applying nuclear and material science to support public health and strategic industries.

ColoNoX: India’s First Nitric-Oxide Wound Dressing

In collaboration with Cologenesis Pvt. Ltd., the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has developed ColoNoX, a nitric-oxide-releasing wound dressing for treating diabetic foot ulcers. This condition affects a significant percentage of diabetic patients and is a leading cause of amputation.

Key Features

• Releases nitric oxide, which promotes faster healing, reduces infection, and improves blood flow.
• Clinically validated in Phase II and III trials.
• Approved for commercial manufacturing by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

DAE Secretary Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty highlighted that ColoNoX is both affordable and effective, aligning with the DAE’s goal of translating nuclear science into societal benefits.

Strategic Advancement in Rare Earth Research

In another landmark development, DAE has launched Ferrocarbonatite (FC) – BARC B140, India’s first indigenously developed Certified Reference Material (CRM) for Rare Earth Elements (REEs). It is designed to,

• Support exploration, extraction, and process control in rare earth mining.
• Provide certified values for 13 rare-earth elements and 6 major elements.

Developed by

• BARC’s National Centre for Compositional Characterisation of Materials (NCCCM)
• Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD), Hyderabad
• This CRM is only the fourth of its kind globally, and the first in India, enabling greater accuracy in mineral analysis, supporting domestic rare earth capability, and contributing to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Static Facts

• Innovation 1: ColoNoX – Nitric-Oxide Wound Dressing
• Use: Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU)
• Developer: BARC + Cologenesis Pvt. Ltd.
• Approval: DCGI-certified for commercial use
• Benefit: Faster healing, anti-bacterial, improved circulation
• Innovation 2: Ferrocarbonatite – BARC B140
• Purpose: Certified Reference Material (CRM) for Rare Earth Elements