Scientists turn water into 'lemonade'

Researchers in Singapore say they have devised a way to use electrodes and sensors to mimic the flavour and colour of a beverage.

The team working at NUS-Keio CUTE Center, a joint collaboration between Keio University and National University of Singapore, chose the sour taste of lemonade for their prototype.

To start with a sensor is dipped into a glass of real lemonade and the PH value is then remotely transmitted to electrode strips running along the top of a glass of water.

An RGB colour sensor captures the colour of the drink, with LED lights on the glass replicating the original colour.

A person then runs their tongue over the strip while taking a sip of the water, recreating the lemonade taste.

"We often have these experiences, like, we try to drink some beverages in a bar, and we often recall a friend's name, or my wife's name, or my dad's name, thinking, 'oh if I can send this beverage to my loved one that will be great, right, they will love it too," said Nimesha Ranasinghe, lead researcher on the project which aims to allow people to send the flavour over the internet to friends.

Ranasinghe also added that the device will help people who want to lower their calorie intake as they can experience a particular taste without having to consume the beverage.

"Later, we realised we can even help the people who want to cut down their calorie intake. If he's craving for a lemonade, if he can have a virtual lemonade, he can get the same experience, but zero calories," he said.

A taste test was put to two university students in front of a Reuters reporter. While the idea was welcomed, they said the design of the water tumbler needed some improvement.

"I think it's definitely the way the tongue touches the cup, because no-one would sub-consciously or consciously put their tongue onto the electrode, and then drink the water, so it has to be something that is very natural, and how you'd drink straight from the cup, that's definitely one area," said student, Genevieve Low.

Ranasinghe went on to add that the lemonade experiment is the team's first prototype and he feels confident people will be drinking and sharing 'virtual lemonade' in the future. — Reuters