Bill Gates charity challenges scientists to make better condoms

Graphene could be mixed with the latex used in standard condoms to make a stronger and far more pleasurable model, scientists believe. Photograph: Getty Photos

The “wonder material” graphene faces its stiffest challenge nevertheless in delivering thinner, more powerful, safer and far more desirable condoms.

A research group from the University of Manchester has received a Grand Difficulties Explorations grant of $ one hundred,000 (£62,123) from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop new composite nano-components for next-generation condoms.

The challenge is to create new technology that can make the condom much more desirable to use, which could lead to far more folks utilizing them.

Composite resources are composed of a mixture of two materials, in this case graphene and an elastic polymer such as the latex employed in classic condoms.

Graphene is the world’s thinnest, strongest and most conductive material, and promises a huge variety of varied applications from smartphones and ultrafast broadband to laptop chips.

It was 1st isolated by Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov at the University of Manchester in 2004 and earned them the Nobel prize for physics in 2010.

The study will be carried out beneath the leadership of Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan at the newly established Nationwide Graphene Institute at Manchester.

Vijayaraghavan explained: “This composite material will be tailored to increase the normal sensation throughout intercourse even though employing a condom, which should encourage and market condom use.

“This will be achieved by combining the power of graphene with the elasticity of latex to produce a new material which can be thinner, more powerful, far more stretchy, safer and, maybe most importantly, more pleasurable.”

He continued: “Because its isolation in 2004, men and women have wondered when graphene will be used in our everyday lifestyle. Presently, individuals picture employing graphene in mobile-telephone screens, meals packaging and chemical sensors.

“If this venture is effective, we might have a use for graphene which will practically touch our every day lifestyle in the most intimate way.”

Dr Helen Meese, head of resources at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, stated: “The prospective of graphene is limitless, and the grant to the University of Manchester to seem at worldwide wellness troubles underlines just how ground-breaking this wonder material could be.

“As properly as condoms, graphene could possibly be used in every little thing from batteries which charge in seconds to photovoltaic windows which make electricity.

“However, despite the United kingdom getting at the very forefront of graphene research, the country’s commercialisation of the materials has been woeful.

“Of the 7,500 graphene-based mostly patents filed throughout the world by 2013, only 54 are from the United kingdom, or significantly less than one%. In comparison, over two,200 are held by China and one,754 by South Korea.

“As it stands, the Uk is failing to harness the amazing potential of the material it has led the globe in creating.”

Bill Gates charity challenges scientists to make better condoms