Physics Solves One of Man’s Biggest Problems: Urinal Splashing

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Researchers discovered that when urine hits a surface at less than 30 degrees, splashback is reduced by 95% compared to perpendicular impact.

Two new urinal designs—the “Cornucopia” and “Nautilus”—use this critical angle principle to virtually eliminate splashing while improving accessibility.

Widespread adoption could prevent about one million liters of urine from splashing onto floors daily in the US alone, saving substantial cleaning water and resources.

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This principle exists in nature too: when dogs urinate against vertical surfaces, they naturally create a shallow angle that minimizes splash onto their fur—a fortunate side effect of territorial marking behavior.

With this critical angle identified, the team used mathematical equations to design urinal surfaces that would ensure all impacts occurred at or below 30 degrees, regardless of user height or aim. Two distinct designs emerged from this work: the “Cornucopia” and the “Nautilus.”

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