Aussie engineers tout condom that feels like skin

Australian engineers are developing a condom with material that feels like real skin.

The new condom will give couples another option to control conception and reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

On Wednesday, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded the University of Wollongong researchers 100,000 U.S dollars to further develop their design as part of an initiative to encourage bold ideas for global health problems.

Biomedical engineer Robert Gorkin, who leads the research, told the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday that the condoms will be made of a material known as tough hydrogels, a network of long- chain polymers embedded with water.

The material's skin-like feel is what gives it an edge over current condoms made of latex.

"One of the problems with condoms in general is the perceived lack of sensation," Gorkin said.

"We need to design condoms that men want to use because they increase sexual pleasure."

If his new materials could offer more skin-like sensation, it could increase their use, Gorkin said.

Hydrogels are used in contact lenses and are being studied for use in wearable and implantable bionics, said Gorkin.

With the Gates Foundation money, the group will test different formulations of hydrogels to design condoms with the right amount of elasticity but the correct mechanical properties to prevent breakage.

They will also need to confirm the materials are safe, that they prevent pregnancy and stop the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.