The condom of the future? Scientists developing latex replacement that self-lubricates, delivers Viagra and feels better than nothing at all

A group of scientists in Australia is developing a series of condoms which it claims could feel even better than wearing nothing at all.

Tasked by Bill Gates to come up with the “next generation condom”, the team at the University of Wollongong (UOW) have been experimenting with hydrogel materials which they say have a range of benefits over latex.

Ultra-strong and flexible, hydrogels have been around for decades, according to Science Alert – but lead materials scientist Robert Gorkin says they are ideal to be converted for use as condoms because they can be engineered to have different properties.

Imagine a condom that self-lubricates, delivers its own small dose of Viagra, biodegrades in the long term or even conducts electricity and responds to stimulation.

“Our original idea was just to try to prove that an original material could replace latex,” Gorkin told ScienceAlert.

“We had an idea that these new materials would have the same properties as rubber with a nicer feel, but we weren't sure if they had the right properties for a condom.”

The team received one of 52 grants on offer from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which called on scientists to help get around the fact that people don’t like to use condoms.  READ MORE

Culled from DailyIndependent