Teens invent condoms that change colour because of STIs

Three British schoolchildren have come up with a remarkable invention: condoms that change colour when they come into contact with sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The boys from the Isaac Newton Academy in Illford – 14-year-old Daanyaal Ali, 13-year-old Muaz Nawaz and 14-year-old Chirag Shah – presented their concept at the 2015 TeenTech Awards.

Called S.T.EYE, the condoms include a layer of molecules that react to bacteria or virus from an infection. They then change colour depending on the STI. For example, green for chlamydia, yellow for herpes 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,” explained Ali, 14, about their idea.

“We wanted to make something that made detecting harmful STIs safer than ever before, so that people can take immediate action in the privacy of their own homes without the often-scary procedures at the doctors.

“We’ve made sure we’re able to give peace of mind to users and let people act even more responsibly than ever before,” he said.

The students were judged by Embarrassing Bodies’ Dr Christian Jessen, who awarded them the Future of Health Category prize.

They’ve also been approached by a condom manufacturer, that could be able to turn their concept into reality.