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Scientists Create New Condom That 'Feels Like Wearing Nothing At All'

Scientists Create New Condom That 'Feels Like Wearing Nothing At All'

Researchers in Australia have been handed a huge boost as a condom receives $1m research grant

Mike Wood

Mike Wood

"Feels like I'm wearing nothing at all, nothing at all, nothing at all..." No, it's not Ned Flanders' ski suit, it's a new type of condom that claims that it is about to revolutionise the industry.

The rubber in question is, in fact, not rubber at all: it's made from what the manufacturers call a 'hydrogel', skin-like material that allows users to feel like, well, they're wearing nothing at all.

The makers in question is Eudaemon Technologies, an Australian company that specialises in medical products, which announced the new condom as they received over $1million Australian dollars in funding from the New South Wales state government.

"We are redefining what the condom could be," University of Wollongong biomedical engineer, Dr Robert Gorkin, told the MailOnline.

Pixabay

"There are 1 million new STIs diagnosed every day, 80 million unplanned pregnancies per year, a $60 billion global burden and the biggest issue for condoms is feel.

"Our product is designed to overcome the No. 1 issue with condoms because ultimately the choice of using this medical device is up to the consumer."

The grant will allow Eudaemon to invest in a human trial of their product by the end of the year.

"We are actually going to have people have sex with them [the hydrogel condoms]," said Gorkin.

The money was awarded to Eudaemon Technologies by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, with the intention that it be spent on pioneering health tech that could have the potential to revolutionise healthcare.

"The NSW Government is committed to supporting innovators in the medtech industry in getting their brilliant ideas off the ground and ultimately saving millions of lives around the world."

Eudaemon Technologies are based in Wollongong, in the Illawarra region to the south of Sydney, and the local MP welcomed the investment in technology in the region.

"The MDF invests in the development and commercialisation of medical devices and related technologies," said Gareth Ward, Liberal Party Member for Kiama and Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra.

"These innovative, homegrown devices have the potential to dramatically improve the lives of people across NSW and beyond as well as boosting our local economy."

The grant was just a small part of the 2018 NSW Medical Devices Fund (MDF), a $9.85 million AUD fund aimed at cutting-edge medical research being carried out in New South Wales.

Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

Topics: Science, Australia News, News, tech, Health

Mike Meehall Wood is a freelance journalist and translator. He writes for LADbible, VICE and countless sports publications, focusing on rugby league, football and boxing. He is a graduate of Leeds University and maintains a fizzy pop obsession. Contact Mike at [email protected]