Graphene-based artificial tongue displays near-human sense of taste

Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Shandong University of Technology have developed a new graphene oxide-based sensor design that, through machine learning, was able to develop a near-human sense of taste. This device is uniquely able to operate in a moist environment, better approximating the conditions inside the human mouth.

Image from: PNAS

The sensor was made of multiple layers of graphene oxide enclosed in a nanofluidic device. Graphene oxide is known to change its electrical conductivity when exposed to different chemicals. The researchers used this property to measure electrical variations in the sensor when it was exposed to a sampling of 160 chemicals, each associated with a unique flavor profile. Using these data, a machine-learning algorithm was able to create a ‘memory’ of flavors.

Image from: PNASThe sensor was made of multiple layers of graphene oxide enclosed in a nanofluidic device. Graphene oxide is known to change its electrical conductivity when exposed to different chemicals. The researchers used this property to measure electrical variations in the sensor when it was exposed to a sampling of 160 chemicals, each associated with a unique flavor profile. Using these data, a machine-learning algorithm was able to create a ‘memory’ of flavors.

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