Teens invent condom that changes colour when STDs detected

BuzzFeed News is reporting that a group of 13-and 14-year-old students have developed a condom that glows in different colours if it detects a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

The online magazine listed the creators as Muaz Nawaz, Daanyaal Ali, and Chirag Shah, from London’s Isaac Newton Academy.

The invention, named S.T.EYE, awarded the students the top health innovation prize at the city’s TeenTech Awards.

The awards are intended to promote science, engineering, and technology in schools.

At the competition, groups of students ranging in age from 11 to 16 attempt to create “technology to make life better, simpler or easier.”

BuzzFeed News reported that the condom uses a built-in indicator that changes to a different colour depending on the bacteria or infection it detects. The students said it may glow green for chlamydia, yellow for herpes, purple for human papillomavirus, or blue for syphilis.

Molecules in the condom attach to the bacteria of common STIs, causing the contraception to fluoresce in low light.

14-year-old Ali was reported saying “we wanted to make something that make 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 further said “we’ve made sure we’re able to give peace of mind to users and make sure people can be even more responsible than ever before.”

Other top entries included a hair clip with Wi-Fi that changes colour based on your outfit, and sneakers that can charge electronics.

A spokesperson for TeenTech explained that the invention of the condoms are still in the conceptual stage and they’re “very much a concept and… not a finalised design.”

The students received a prize of a thousand pound and a trip to Buckingham Palace, where they will be presented with their award.