Gates Foundation Funds Graphene Condom Research

CBC News reported that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has given US$100,000 to a research team from the University of Manchester so that it can develop a “super thin and durable” condom made of latex and graphene. The research will be led by Aravind Vijayaraghavan.

As quoted in the market news:

Earlier this year, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation called for submissions to create new condoms using new concept designs and materials aimed at improving ‘uptake and regular use.’

‘The primary drawback from the male perspective is that condoms decrease pleasure as compared to no condom, creating a trade-off that many men find unacceptable, particularly given that the decisions about use must be made just prior to intercourse,’ the foundation said in issuing the challenge.

‘Is it possible to develop a product without this stigma, or better, one that is felt to enhance pleasure? If so, would such a product lead to substantial benefits for global health, both in terms of reducing the incidence of unplanned pregnancies and in prevention of infection with HIV or other STIs?’

Click here to read the full CBC News report.