Student inventors at the Isaac Newton Academy in the United Kingdom have developed a new smart condom that is capable of detecting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) upon contact.
The experimental condom, known as S.T.EYE, features an indicator built into the device that changes color depending on the type of infection it detects. It becomes yellow when it comes into contact with the herpes virus, green for chlamydia, blue for syphilis and purple for the human papillomavirus (HIV), which is known to cause genital warts.
The S.T.EYE project was designed by academy students Chirag Shah, Muaz Nawaz and Daanyaal Ali, and it was presented during the TeenTech Awards in London, where it won an award under the category of health.
"We created the S.T.EYE as a new way for STI detection to help the future of the next generation," Ali said.
"We wanted to make something that makes detecting harmful STIs safer than ever before, so that people can take immediate action in the privacy of their own homes without the invasive procedures at the doctors."
Ali added that their technology helps allay fears concerning sexually transmitted illnesses, and makes people more responsible about these diseases.
The TeenTech Awards allows students to showcase their inventions in the field of science and technology that are aimed at solving problems in different categories.
The winning schools in each category are given a cash prize of £1,000, or $1,580.
For winning the health category, Ali and his team are invited to a reception at the Buckingham Palace later in the year.
Maggie Philbin, CEO and founder of TeenTech, explained that their goal is to encourage student inventors to take their concepts out of the classroom and present them to professionals in the industry. She said this is to allow the students to realize the true potential of their concepts and designs.
Other inventions by students presented at the awards include shoes that are capable of charging devices using energy built up by walking and hair accessories that use Wi-Fi technology to change color to match clothing.
Another technology featured at the event was the eWaterTap, which is a device that could potentially be used in remote areas such as in rural Africa to help local communities in managing their water systems.
Photo: Holly Williams | Flickr
