Yes, Virginia, there is a research study for just about everything.
Researchers at Georgia Tech are studying how animals of different sizes shake to throw water out of their fur.
Why? To improve the design of washing machines, of course.
This research is the brain child of graduate student Andrew Dickerson. It has been submitted to the Gallery of Fluid Motion, an exhibit associated with the annual meeting of the American Physical Society, Division of Fluid Dynamics.
The researchers attached a sensor to different animals’ coats and took video using high speed cameras as the animals shook their coats dry. The footage is fascinating.
But after my next shower, I’m still reaching for a towel.