A new "smart condom" changes colors when it contacts a sexually transmitted disease (STD) by attracting the bacteria's molecules. The new invention, developed by a group of competition-winning teens, alters its hue when it detects the STDs such as herpes and syphilis.
The inventors of the new condom technology are 13 and 14 year olds from London's Isaac Newton Academy. Their invention's name is "S.T.E.Y.E."
Antibodies in the condom change color when STD antigens are attracted to it, according to The Week. The latex then glows after using chemistry to make a medical diagnosis.
The students wanted to make detecting STDs a safer process. Their invention glows yellow for herpes, blue for syphilis, green for chlamydia, and purple for human papillomavirus.
The new contraception won first place at the United Kingdom's (UK) Teen Tech Awards. It challenges youngsters aged 11 to 16 to invent technology that makes people's lives easier or better.
The top prize is about $1,500 USD, according to Stuff. It also includes a free trip to Buckingham Palace to meet Prince Andrew.
14-year-old Daanyaal Ali is one member of the first-prize winning team. He said that that their invention helps people to be safer and more responsible, and addresses the "huge" STD problem in the UK.
The Washington Post has raised some interesting issues about the new condom. They include whether it can detect an STD in both the user and partner, and the color-changing result if someone has multiple STDs.
The teenagers' design is still in its concept stage. However, it could later become a commercial product as condom manufacturers have already noted they are impressed by the amazing invention.