Teens Invent Condom That Changes Color If STD Is Detected

Three 13- and 14-year-old students from London’s Issaw Newton Academy have invented a condom that could help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI). The innovative condom is called S.T.EYE, and it glows in different colors if a STI is detected.

TEENS INVENT CONDOM THAT DETECTS STI’S

The inventors of S.T. EYE, Muaz Nawaz, 13, Daanyaal Ali, 14 and Chirag Shah, 14, from London’s Isaac Newton Academy, were awarded first prize in the Health Category at London’s TeenTech Awards.

TeenTech Awards takes place in cities all over the United Kingdom, where over 300 students from the ages of 11 to 16 work in teams to find innovate ways to create things in the fields of science, engineering and technology.

The condom is designed with an inner layer filled with molecules that attach to the bacteria and viruses associated with STI’s. The condom glows if a bacteria or disease is detected—a green glow could signify chlamydia, while yellow could indicate herpes. The condom could also glow purple in the presence of HPV, which causes genital warts, and blue for syphilis.

“‘We created the S.T.EYE as a new way for STI detection to help the future of the next generation,” said Daanyaal. “We wanted to create 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,” he added.

The chief executive of TeenTech, Maggie Philbin, said that S.T.EYE is only a concept for now. “I think the reason the judges put this idea first was because the project showed how much learning these boys had done while researching STDs,” Philbin told The Washington Post.

The young scientist won $1,500 and a trip to meet Prince Andrew at Buckingham Palace later this year, and already condom companies have already started contacting them.