Wonder material graphene faces its stiffest challenge yet in providing thinner, stronger, safer and more desirable condoms.
A research team from The University of Manchester has received a Grand Challenges Explorations grant of $US100,000 ($A106,300) from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop new composite nano-materials for next-generation condoms.
The challenge is to develop new technology that can make the condom more desirable for use, which could lead to an increase in its use.
Composite materials are composed of a mixture of two materials, in this case graphene mixed with an elastic polymer such as latex used in traditional condoms.
Graphene is the world's thinnest, strongest and most conductive material, and promises a vast range of diverse applications from smartphones and ultrafast broadband to computer chips.
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It was first isolated by Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov at The University of Manchester in 2004 and earned the two scientists the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010.
The research will be carried out under the leadership of Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan at the newly established National Graphene Institute at Manchester.
"This composite material will be tailored to enhance the natural sensation during intercourse while using a condom, which should encourage and promote condom use," Dr Vijayaraghavan said.
"This will be achieved by combining the strength of graphene with the elasticity of latex to produce a new material which can be thinner, stronger, more stretchy, safer and, perhaps most importantly, more pleasurable."
