Teens invent condom that changes color when it detects an STI
In a feat of innovation that proves age is just a number when it comes to tackling public health, a group of UK teenagers has developed a concept for a “smart” condom that changes color when it detects a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Dubbed the S.T.EYE, the invention was created by Daanyaal Ali (14), Muaz Nawaz (13), and Chirag Shah (14) from the Isaac Newton Academy in London. The trio’s groundbreaking idea won the top prize in the Health category at the TeenTech Awards, earning them both a £1,000 prize and a visit to Buckingham Palace.
How it Works
The S.T.EYE concept uses a built-in indicator that reacts to the presence of specific bacteria and viruses. By incorporating antibodies into the latex that attach to the antigens of common STIs, the condom acts as a real-time test.
Depending on the infection detected, the condom is designed to glow in a specific hue:
- Green: Chlamydia
- Yellow: Herpes
- Purple: Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Blue: Syphilis
