A team of researchers has been awarded the 2026 Ig Nobel Prize in Physics for their study on reducing splashing in public urinals. While the topic may seem lighthearted, the research has important implications for public hygiene. The study, published in the journal PNAS Nexus, examined how urine interacts with urinal surfaces and how design changes could minimize splashing. The work was led by Randy Hurd from Weber State University, who has previously studied "urine dynamics" since 2013. Urinals have not seen much design innovation in over a century, despite being commonly used in public spaces. The researchers discovered that urine droplets can bounce off ceramic surfaces, potentially spreading bacteria and creating a hygiene concern. To understand this better, the team used computer simulations to model urine jets, analyzing factors like the angle of impact, speed, surface type, and atmospheric pressure. Since most of these factors are beyond the user's control, the team focused on impact angle and distance as the most adjustable variables. Through their experiments, the researchers found that an impact angle below 30 degrees significantly reduces splashing. Using this insight, they developed two new urinal models: the Cornucopia and the Nautilus. These designs aim to maintain a low impact angle across the entire surface, regardless of where a user directs their stream. When tested against two existing models, the Cornucopia was the most effective at minimizing splashing. However, the Nautilus model offers benefits for taller individuals, children, and people in wheelchairs, and may be more suitable for use in environments like trains or airplanes where stability is limited. The researchers acknowledge that more studies are needed to fully validate their models, especially considering factors like the viscosity of the liquid. Nonetheless, their designs have already shown a dramatic reduction in splashing—only 1.4% of that seen in traditional urinals, a decrease of nearly 99%. This could lead to improved hygiene in public spaces and a significant reduction in the time and resources needed for cleaning.