The 'solution' to shoes odor that won a Nobel prize

Almost every home has a pair of shoes whose smell is hard to ignore.

Now imagine putting all the shoes of a family in a rack, and it seems not just a home design problem but a global problem.

Two Indian researchers thought that this was not just a problem of smell, but a subject of scientific research.

And they began to study how smelly shoes affect the experience of using a shoe rack, and in this journey they ended up winning an interesting and humorous scientific prize, the ‘Ig Nobel Prize’. Although this prize seems meaningless and humorous, it is given for creative scientific efforts.

Vikash Kumar, 42, an assistant professor of design at Shiv Nadar University on the outskirts of Delhi, and his former student, 29-year-old Sarthak Mittal, had the idea to research smelly shoes.

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Almost every home has at least one pair of shoes whose smell is hard to ignore. From sweaty sneakers to damp sandals, the odor that lingers around footwear often turns into a household nuisance. When multiple pairs of shoes belonging to family members pile up in a rack, the unpleasant smell becomes even more noticeable. What looks like a small design issue inside homes is, in fact, a universal experience that crosses cultures and geographies.

Two Indian researchers, Vikash Kumar, an assistant professor of design at Shiv Nadar University near Delhi, and his former student Sarthak Mittal, saw this daily problem not as something to complain about but as an opportunity for scientific inquiry. Their curiosity and creativity led them into the world of unusual but meaningful research, and ultimately earned them the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize in Engineering Design.


The Ig Nobel Prize: Humor Meets Science

The Ig Nobel Prize is not your typical academic recognition. Organized by the magazine Annals of Improbable Research, these awards celebrate studies that first make people laugh, and then make them think. While they may appear humorous or absurd on the surface, the research honored often opens doors to fresh perspectives and unexpected innovations. Past winners have studied everything from why wombats produce cube-shaped feces to how gossip affects workplace morale.

Kumar and Mittal’s project on smelly shoes might sound comical at first, but their recognition shows how creativity in science and design can emerge from the most ordinary aspects of life.



How the Research Began

The idea took shape during casual conversations between Kumar and Mittal at Shiv Nadar University. Living and working in shared spaces, they observed how students often avoided using shoe racks. Many preferred to leave their shoes outside their dorm rooms or in corners, not because racks were inconvenient, but because the collective smell of shoes stored together was unpleasant.

This observation sparked a simple but powerful research question: how does shoe odor affect people’s experience of using a shoe rack?



Methods: Brave Noses and Honest Feedback

To answer this question, the researchers conducted a pilot study involving 149 first-year university students. Participants were asked about their experiences with smelly shoes, their willingness to use racks, and the discomfort caused by odor.

Interestingly, the researchers initially explored the use of sensors to measure smell objectively. However, these devices proved unreliable for capturing the nuances of human odor perception. Instead, they relied on what they humorously called “brave human noses”—volunteers who judged the smell directly. This approach provided authentic, human-centered insights into how much odor affected the acceptability of shoe racks.

The findings highlighted that unpleasant smells did not merely irritate people—they influenced behavior. Many students admitted they avoided racks entirely because of bad odor. This meant that even well-designed racks were underused, simply because one key sensory factor had been overlooked.



Beyond the Smell: Microbiology and Design

The researchers did not stop at documenting complaints. They examined the scientific cause of the odor, noting that bacteria thriving in the warm, moist environment of shoes produce foul-smelling compounds. This shifted their perspective: the smell was not just a minor annoyance but a result of microbial activity that could, in some cases, have health implications.

Armed with this knowledge, they proposed a redesign of shoe racks. The new concept included features that could actively combat odor, such as UV-C lamps. These lamps are already known for their ability to kill bacteria and disinfect surfaces. By integrating UV-C technology into racks, shoes could be deodorized and sanitized while stored, significantly improving user experience.



Why This Research Matters

At first glance, shoe odor may appear trivial. Yet, Kumar and Mittal’s work demonstrates that design is not only about form and function, but also about sensory experience. A piece of furniture like a rack may meet all structural and aesthetic requirements, but if it fails to address smell, it becomes underutilized.

Their study also shows the power of interdisciplinary thinking. By blending design principles with microbiology and human behavior research, they crafted a holistic solution to a common problem. This reflects the larger movement in design and engineering: addressing everyday issues with practical, science-backed innovations.


Recognition on a Global Stage

The 2025 Ig Nobel Prize in Engineering Design was awarded to Kumar and Mittal with the citation: “For analyzing how foul-smelling shoes affect the good experience of using a shoe-rack.” While the phrasing carries a humorous tone, the recognition places their work on the global stage alongside other imaginative thinkers.

Winning an Ig Nobel Prize also signals that Indian researchers are contributing to the culture of playful yet impactful science. It showcases the value of approaching research questions with curiosity, even if they seem unconventional.



Looking Ahead

The researchers’ proposal for UV-equipped racks opens up possibilities for commercial applications. In hot and humid countries like India, where shoe odor is a common household complaint, such designs could have widespread appeal. Beyond homes, gyms, hostels, and offices could benefit from racks that ensure cleanliness and comfort.

The project also serves as inspiration for future researchers. Sometimes, the best ideas come not from tackling grand, abstract problems, but from paying attention to the little discomforts in daily life. When combined with scientific rigor, these observations can lead to innovations that are both practical and transformative.


Conclusion

From the annoyance of smelly shoes to international recognition, the journey of Vikash Kumar and Sarthak Mittal illustrates the power of curiosity and creativity in research. Their Ig Nobel Prize-winning study reminds us that science is not only about solving complex global challenges, but also about improving small, everyday experiences that affect how we live.

By shining a light—literally, through UV lamps—on the problem of shoe odor, they have shown that even the most overlooked nuisances can inspire meaningful scientific inquiry. What began as a laugh-worthy topic has now sparked serious thought about design, hygiene, and the role of sensory comfort in our daily lives.