Electric Fork Simulates a Salty Flavor By Shocking Your Tongue (med.news.am)

An anonymous reader writes: It's common knowledge that excess sodium can be detrimental to one's health. So researchers in Japan have built a prototype electric fork that uses electrical stimulation to stimulate the taste of salt. The battery-powered fork was engineered and designed at the University of Tokyo's Rekimoto Lab. It features a conductive handle that completes a circuit when the tines make contact with a diner's tongue, electrically stimulating their taste buds. The prototype fork, which was built from just $18 worth of electronics, creates a sensation of both salty and sour, and has adjustable levels of stimulation.

Comments

Re:What are the chances

[arth1]

Of this device electrocuting you?

Probably 100%, or it would be useless. As in a mild electrocution, not causing any damage other than confusing your pain receptors and taste buds.

It's likely restricted to voltages up to 6-9V our so, which seems to be where it switches from uncomfortable to painful for many.

I.e. you may get as electrocuted as if you touch both poles on a 9V battery. Don't touch the fork to your eyeball, and you should be fine. Which goes for a regular fork too.