Carbonated beverages attract the cool and refreshing sensation they provide due to the carbonation contained in the drink. However, as carbonated beverages lose their carbonation over time after opening, the carbonation becomes less stimulating, and the cool and refreshing sensation is lost. Therefore, we believe that adding electric stimulation to carbonated beverages after opening can amplify the carbonation and supplement the cool and refreshing sensation lost over time. In the same way, by adding electric stimulation to carbonated beverages, it is expected that the user will be able to control the carbonation to their liking.

　We are engaged in research on the presentation of electric stimulation to the human body. The presentation method is to adjust parameters such as the amount and frequency of the electric current using a PC, generate input signals through a signal generator, and present the electric current output through an electric stimulus generator circuit to the site of stimulus presentation. In this research, we are developing and evaluating an electric taste system that applies this method to the human sense of taste. Specifically, we are focusing on the stimulus amplification of carbonated beverages and investigating the changes in carbonation stimuli caused by changing parameters such as the amount and frequency of the electric current.

　Since we commonly use cups for drinking beverages daily, we are also working on developing cup-shaped devices that can present electric stimuli. Specifically, we are working on creating a cup-shaped interface and an electric circuit. A 3D printer fabricates the cup interface. For the electric circuits, we are working on designing and creating miniaturized circuits that reduce the number of external connections and allow circuits for electric stimulus generation and power voltage generation to build into the cup.