Perhaps a solution to the plague of crushed chewing gum on the sidewalks: researchers have developed a technology that simulates the flavor.
Presented at the last ACM User Interface Software and Technology Symposium in last October, this “electric chewing gum” uses the piezoelectric effect that produces an electric current when it is twisted.
Unlike a traditional chewing gum, its taste is permanent: as soon as it is chewed, it produces a weak current, insensitive and painless, which gives a feeling of taste when in contact with the tongue.
For now, the range is limited to five basic flavors: bitter, salty, sour, sweet and umami. According to the 80 Japanese consumers who have tested it, the texture is still not similar to that of our current chewing gums.
If this hard-wearing chewing gum were to replace conventional versions, it could save millions of euros for cities around the world.
