Four undergraduate students in North Carolina State University’s Materials Science & Engineering Department have developed a nail polish that can detect drugs often associated with sexual assault, including Rohypnol, Xanax and GHB, according to an article at BuzzFeed. The nail polish, called “Undercover Colors,” will change color when it comes in contact with the “date rape” drugs, which are usually slipped into an unsuspecting victim’s drink. Wearing the polish, a woman can stir her drink with her finger and if the polish changes color, she’ll know there’s a problem.
The four students have received $100,000 from an investor who saw their product demo at the K50 Startup Showcase, where Undercover Colors was a finalist. They received additional funds after winning a contest held by North Carolina State University’s Entrepreneurship Initiative.