Condoms are incredibly useful for not getting STDs and not getting pregnant. Of course, for condoms to work, you have to use them, which isn’t a terribly difficult concept in theory. But this nation is filled with people who will tell you that in practice, condoms can be uncomfortable and that your critical-thinking skills are not great during sexy times. So an Arizona State University biochemist has decided to make condoms that are more fun to use.
The basic issue comes down to material. Human skin loves water and absorbs it, but latex is generally hydrophobic. That’s good in the sense that it keeps you from mixing together anything you don’t want to mix, but it’s bad in the sense that it contributes to the discomfort of condom use. So Shengxi Chen designed a condom material that mimics the human skin’s taste for H20, making the condoms created from it feel much more like human skin and thus more comfortable for long periods of time. If that’s not enough, the material has nearly twice the tensile strength of latex condoms, which can already take far more than any human genitals can dish out.
Sadly, you won’t find this in nightstands and drugstores tomorrow. The material has to go through FDA testing first. But for all those worried about joining the ranks of accidental parents or embarrassed waiting room visitors, soon you’ll have less reason to be there.
(Via Elite Daily)