Many issues revolving around unplanned pregnancies and contracted STDs involve the fact that people prefer not to use condoms for the sake of pleasure; enter the hydrogel condom. It is a next generation condom that is touted to feel like real human skin. Essentially making safe-sex pleasurable, the hydrogel condom replaces latex with a biomaterial that is similar to the kind used in contact lenses.
Developed by research team from the University of Wollongong led by Dr. Robert Gorkin, the hydrogel condom is currently being tested for material first and breaking strength and permeability second. Gorken states," "It’s really about us challenging our own perceptions, particularly when developing new technologies to be deployed in places like sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia."
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Next Generation Condoms
- The development of hydrogel condoms presents an opportunity for innovation in the contraception industry.
- Enhanced Sensation
- The use of hydrogel material in condoms opens doors for disruptive innovation in the sexual wellness industry by offering a more pleasurable experience.
- Bio-inspired Materials
- The use of biomaterials in the hydrogel condom highlights the potential for disruptive innovation in the materials industry, specifically in developing new contact lens-like materials.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Contraception
- The hydrogel condom has the potential to disrupt the contraception industry by providing a safer and more pleasurable alternative to traditional latex condoms.
- Sexual Wellness
- The development of hydrogel condoms introduces disruptive innovation opportunities in the sexual wellness industry, allowing for enhanced sensation and enjoyment.
- Materials
- The use of biomaterials in the hydrogel condoms creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in the materials industry, particularly in developing new bio-inspired materials for various applications.
