Scientists have solved the age-old problem of public toilets

Canadian scientists from the University of Waterloo have developed an innovative urinal design that could forever change the sanitary standards of public restrooms. The new design solves the age-old problem of urine splashing, which has remained unsolved since 1917. The research is published in the scientific journal PNAS Nexus.

The key discovery of the scientists is that when a stream of urine falls at an angle of 30 degrees or less, splashing virtually disappears. Based on this principle, two models were created - Cornucopia and Nautilus (№3 and №4 in the illustration), whose surfaces are calculated using complex differential equations to minimize splashing.

The Nautilus model deserves special attention, as it not only prevents splashing but is also adapted for people of different heights, including children and wheelchair users. According to the researchers' calculations, the mass implementation of such urinals in the USA (where there are about 56 million of them) could daily prevent half a million liters of urine from getting on the floor of public restrooms.

The study offers the first serious update to toilet design in the last 100 years, promising to make toilets more hygienic and comfortable for all users.