Scientists in Australia have been working on developing a new type of condom involving a hydrogel texture. Latex condoms have been around for almost a century, but the hydrogel condom could mean they're a thing of the past. With properties similar to human skin, this new condom "feels like real human tissue, like when you're touching someone but they're covered in a lubricant". Speaking about the technology, Swinburne University cognitive neuroscientist Joseph Ciorciari spoke to The Sydney Morning Herald about the hydrogel condom and the response thus far. To see what people thought of the new idea, a study was conducted where people were asked to touch-test five different type of materials, including latex (lubricated and non-lubricated) and the hydrogel texture. They were then hooked up to an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine which tested brain activity. Readings taken from this helped researchers to establish hot spots in the brain and which materials (i.e the condoms) triggered an emotional response. "The hydrogel was the only one that had a strong hot spot at the right front of the brain. "We also got a perceptual novelty response, as in 'oh that's different, I want to feel more of that'." explained Professor Ciorciari. Not only that, Professor Ciorciari said that the hydrogel condoms could be adjusted to include antiviral and antibacterial chemicals, making them a safer option all round.