Modern bandages are a dull shade of tan, although kids luck out with colorful cartoon-themes on theirs. But bandages that can talk?

Well, not talk exactly. A new material developed by researchers in Melbourne, Australia will change color in relation to the temperature of whatever’s underneath it. When woven into a so called “smart” bandage, this innovative material will help indicate the presence of infection more quickly than ever before, as well as identifying other healing issues from lowered temperatures.

Health care professionals will be able to quickly determine the health of a wound by comparing the color of the fibers with a calibrated chart. This new method would help to dramatically reduce healthcare costs in Australia (and elsewhere) and lead to more rapid and effective treatment of chronic wounds.

The research team plans to turn the fabric into bandages within six months, then work with the industry to test its effectiveness. If it lives up to its promise, this new material could make a BIG difference.