Grass could be key to super-thin condoms
Fibres from a type of grass can improve latex to produce thinner condoms without the loss of strength.
Working in partnership with Aboriginal traditional owners of the Camooweal region in north-west Queensland, the Indjalandji-Dhidhanu People, researchers from The University of Queensland have developed a method of extracting nanocellulose — which can be used as an additive in latex production — Australian native spinifex grass.
Professor Darren Martin from UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) said the spinifex nanocellulose significantly improved the physical properties of latex.
“The great thing about our nanocellulose is that it’s a flexible nano-additive, so we can make a stronger and thinner membrane that is supple and flexible, which is the Holy Grail for natural rubber,” Professor Martin said.
“We tested our latex formulation on a commercial dipping line in the United States and conducted a burst test that inflates condoms and measures the volume and pressure, and on average got a performance increase of 20 per cent in pressure and 40 per cent in volume compared to the commercial latex control sample,” he said.
“With a little more refinement, we think we can engineer a latex condom that’s about 30 per cent thinner, and will still pass all standards, and with more process optimisation work we will be able to make devices even thinner than this.
“Late last year we were able to get down to about 45 microns on our very first commercial dipping run, which is around the width of the hair on your head.”
Professor Martin said the benefits of the nanocellulose technology would interest latex manufacturers across the multi-billion-dollar global market.
“Rather than looking at increasing the strength, companies would be looking to market the thinnest, most satisfying prophylactic possible,” he said.”Likewise, it would also be possible to produce latex gloves that are just as strong, but thinner, giving a more sensitive feel and less hand fatigue to users such as surgeons.”
“Because you would also use less latex, your material cost in production would potentially drop as well, making it even more attractive to manufacturers.”
Professor Martin said spinifex had long been used as an effective adhesive by indigenous communities in Australia.
Category: Features, Technology & Devices
