Introduction
Tasting involves complex sensory and mental processes. Differences in experiments and how solutions are delivered contribute to varied research results. These technical issues hinder the progress of developing taste-related brain-computer interface devices. This project aims to create a gustometer, a device that delivers a set amount and concentration of a taste stimulus to the tongue over a specific time period. This will aid research into eating disorders.
Project Outline/Design Brief
The project aims to introduce a new, modular, scalable, and low-cost system for quickly injecting small amounts of taste solutions during MRI experiments. This device can easily expand to handle more modules, enabling more complex taste experiments. The system will comprise six modules that can be independently controlled and calibrated for a range of fluids with different viscosities. The system needs to integrate with existing visual aid software, PsychoPy V1.85.3, which will trigger the modules based on input events triggered by the participant. PsychoPy is an open-source software package written in Python, used in neuroscience and experimental psychology research.