Symmetric Counterpart Research Articles

Are asymmetric designs of tibial components superior to their symmetric counterparts for constrained condylar total knee arthroplasty using metal block augmentation?

PurposeIn total knee arthroplasty (TKA), asymmetric tibial components have been developed alongside symmetric tibial components to enhance bony coverage at the tibia. In primary TKA and revision TKA for patients with significant bone defects, augmentation is employed to fill the bone defect. However, there have been no reports on bony coverage of the tibial component of the revision system in the cases of bone defects. Therefore, we simulated bone defects using CT and compared the bony coverage of asymmetric and symmetric tibial components in the revision TKA system.MethodsThis study included 45 patients (50 knees involved) with medial osteoarthritis. Preoperative CT scans were used to simulate placement using ZedKnee. Three models were evaluated: Persona Revision PCCK (Zimmer) for the asymmetric component, NexGen LCCK (Zimmer) for the symmetric component, and the ATTUNE revision system (Depuy-Synthes). A 130-mm stem extension was utilized. Augmentations of each thickness were placed to simulate bone defects of 5, 10, and 15 mm. The coverage, overhang, and underhang rates were measured for each slice and compared among the models.ResultsIn terms of coverage, the rate was greater for PCCK at 0 mm, and only ATTUNE exhibited a significantly lower coverage at 5 and 10 mm. There was no significant difference in coverage at 15 mm. At 0 mm, PCCK demonstrated less posterior underhangs. At 5 and 10 mm, PCCK showed less anterior overhang but more anterior underhang. At 15 mm, PCCK had a less anterior overhang, with an overhang in the posterior region but less underhang. When overhang and underhang were combined and compared, the asymmetric component generally yielded superior results.ConclusionIn the cases of bone defects, asymmetric components demonstrated reduced anterior overhang and decreased posterior underhang, resulting in greater bone coverage. This may contribute to improved long-term outcomes in the revision TKA system.

Asymmetry index for data and its verification in dimensionality reduction and data visualization

We propose an asymmetry index as a measure of degree of asymmetry of a given dataset. It provides an additional information on a dataset allowing to guide and improve any further analysis. The index reflects the intensity of the asymmetric relationships among data resulting from hierarchical data structure. Using the information retrieved by our asymmetry index, one obtains a justification and explanation of the effectiveness of the subsequent asymmetric data analysis methods, as well as helpful preparation to asymmetrizing the tools for the further analysis. The asymmetry index is based on the k-nearest neighbors graph representing the considered data. Therefore, it uses the intrinsic geometry-based information on the data, in this way, providing an insight into the data structure. Our experiments on real data are designed to verify the usefulness of the asymmetry index and the correctness of its theoretical fundamentals. In our empirical validation, we employ the symmetric and asymmetric dimensionality reduction algorithms and evaluate their results on the basis of clustering in the 2-dimensional visualization space. We test, whether our index indeed predicts the level of superiority of the asymmetric methods over their symmetric counterparts.

Energy extraction and Keplerian fundamental frequencies in the Kalb–Ramond gravity

The nonminimal coupling of the nonzero vacuum expectation value of the self-interacting antisymmetric Kalb–Ramond field with gravity leads to a power-law hairy BH having a parameter s, which encompasses the Reissner-Nordström black hole (s=1). It is obtained the axially symmetric counterpart of this hairy solution, namely, the rotating Kalb–Ramond black hole, which encompasses, as special cases, Kerr (s=0) and Kerr–Newman (s=1) black holes. With rotating Kalb–Ramond black hole metric, we study its horizon structure and motion of the test particles in the near of the equatorial plane and we determine radial motion equations which governing t and ϕ. We also explore thatthe black hole mass increasing when falling many of mass-less particles are relative to the black hole mass. We consider how the Kalb–Ramond parameters depend on increasing its mass. Furthermore, we analyze the Keplerian frequency, as well as the vertical and horizontal oscillations of basic frequencies, using a graph-based approach. The frequency charts are contingent upon the Kalb–Ramond parameters s and Γ. By consulting certain sources, ones can investigate the distinctions between KR gravity and other models.

Janus ScYCBr2 MXene as a Promising Thermoelectric Material.

Finding green energy resources that contribute to the battle against global warming and the pollution of our planet is an urgent challenge. Thermoelectric electricity production is a clean and efficient method of producing energy; consequently, scientists are currently researching and creating thermoelectric materials to increase the efficiency of thermoelectric electricity production and expand the potential of the thermoelectric effect for clean energy production. This work focuses on a comprehensive study of the thermoelectric properties of two-dimensional ScYCBr2. We report here a computational analysis of this Janus-like MXene, which is predicted to exhibit outstanding thermoelectric properties. The study uses density-functional theory to provide evidence of the important role played by symmetry breaking to promote low-thermal transport by favoring certain phonon scattering channels. Compared to its symmetric parent compounds, the asymmetric Janus-type ScYCBr2 displays additional phonon scattering channels reducing the thermal conductivity. An exhaustive investigation of the dynamical stability for both zero-temperature and high-temperature conditions was also performed to support the stability of ScYCBr2. Our analysis shows that thanks to its asymmetric structure, the ScYCBr2 MXene has thermoelectric properties that largely surpass those of its parent symmetric counterpart Sc2CBr2, being a material with a remarkable thermoelectric high figure of merit. Another advantage of ScYCBr2 is its high carrier mobility. This work not only demonstrates that this material is a promising thermoelectric material but also shows that ScYCBr2 can operate efficiently at high temperatures up to 1200 K.

Enhanced Fill Factor and Efficiency of Ternary Organic Solar Cells by a New Asymmetric Non-Fullerene Small Molecule Acceptor.

Asymmetric non-fullerene small molecules acceptor (as-NF-SMAs) exhibit greater vitality in photovoltaic materials compared to their symmetric counterparts due to their larger dipole moments and stronger intermolecular interactions, which facilitate exciton dissociation and charge transmission in organic solar cells (OSCs). Here, we introduced a new as-NF-SMAs, named IDT-TNIC, as the third component in ternary organic solar cells (TOSCs). The asymmetric IDT-TNIC used indacenodithiophene (IDT) as the central core, alkylthio-thiophene as a unilateral π-bridge and extended end groups as electron-withdrawing. Due to the non-covalent conformational lock (NCL) established between O⋅⋅⋅S and S⋅⋅⋅S, the IDT-TNIC molecule preserves its coplanar structure effectively. Furthermore, IDT-TNIC exhibits complementary absorption and excellent compatibility with donor and acceptor materials, as well as optimized ladder energy level arrangement, resulting in a higher and more balanced μh/μe value, more homogeneous and suitable phase separation morphology in TOSCs. Thus, the PCE of the TOSCs reached 17 % when the weight ratio of PM6 : Y6 : IDT-TNIC was 1 : 1.1 : 0.1, and it is noteworthy that when the device area was increased to 1 cm2, the PCE could still be maintained at over 14 %. Detailed studies and analysis indicate that IDT-TNIC has great potential as a third component in OSCs and for large-scale printing in the future.

An analytical approach for predicting the fillet and contact stresses in symmetric and asymmetric spur gears under frictional mesh assumptions

A precise estimation of the bending and contact stresses, as well as the true friction value during the gear mesh, are critical aspects of a cost-effective and safe gear design. Previous studies have usually neglected friction by assuming a frictionless contact. Additionally, the impact of friction on the bending stress of spur gears has rarely been addressed. Moreover, to the authors' best knowledge, the impact of friction on the weakest section, stress concentration factor, and Lewis form factor remain unexplored for both symmetric and asymmetric gears. This study presents an analytical model incorporating friction at different contact locations to calculate the variables related to the tooth's weakest section. This model facilitates the evaluation of the stress concentration factor, Lewis form factor, and maximum tensile stress for symmetric and asymmetric gears. The proposed model is especially beneficial for assessing the load-carrying capacity of spur gears operating in challenging conditions. The results showed that the asymmetric spur gear is superior to its equivalent symmetric counterpart in terms of tooth form factor; however, this superiority decreases as the coefficient of friction increases. In addition, friction has been found to have a greater effect on fillet stress than contact stress. For μ = 0.2, at the HPSTC, the contact load and tooth form factor decreased by 7 % and 12 %, respectively, and the fillet stress worsened by 13 % compared to the frictionless assumption. Meanwhile, at the LPSTC, the stress concentration factor and contact stress increased by 9 % and 3 %, respectively.

The Interactions between Ionic Liquids and Lithium Polysulfides in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: A Systematic Density Functional Theory Study.

Ionic liquids (ILs) based on hybrid anions have recently garnered attention as beguiling alternative electrolytes for energy storage devices. This attention stems from the potential of these asymmetric anions to reduce the melting point of ILs and impede the crystallization of ILs. Furthermore, they uphold the advantages associated with their more conventional symmetric counterparts. In this study, we employed dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D) calculations to scrutinize the interplay between two hybrid anions found in ionic liquids [FTFSA]- and [MCTFSA]- and the [C4mpyr]+ cation, as well as in lithium polysulfides in lithium-sulfur batteries. For comparison, we also examined the corresponding ILs containing symmetric anions, [TFSA]- and [FSA]-. We found that the hybrid anion [MCTFSA]- and its ionic liquid exhibited exceptional stability and interaction strength. Additionally, our investigation unveiled a remarkably consistent interaction between ionic liquids (ILs) and anions with lithium polysulfides (and S8) during the transition from octathiocane (S8) to the liquid long-chain Li2Sn (4 ≤ n ≤ 8). This contrasts with the gradual alignment observed between cations and lithium polysulfides during the intermediate state from Li2S4 to the solid short-chain Li2S2 and Li2S1. We thoroughly analyzed the interaction mechanism of ionic liquids composed of different symmetry anions and their interactions with lithium polysulfides.

Effect of leaflet asymmetry on the stretching elasticity of lipid bilayers with phosphatidic acid

The asymmetry of membranes has a significant impact on their biophysical characteristics and behavior. This study investigates the composition and mechanical properties of symmetric and asymmetric membranes in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) made of palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidic acid (POPA). A combination of fluorescence quantification, zeta potential measurements, micropipette aspiration, and bilayer molecular dynamics simulations are used to characterize these membranes. The outer leaflet composition in vesicles is found consistent across the two preparation methods we employed, namely electroformation and inverted emulsion transfer. However, characterizing the inner leaflet poses challenges. Micropipette aspiration of GUVs show that oil residues do not substantially alter membrane elasticity, but simulations reveal increased membrane thickness and decreased interleaflet coupling in the presence of oil. Asymmetric membranes with a POPC:POPA mixture in the outer leaflet and POPC in the inner leaflet display similar stretching elasticity values to symmetric POPC:POPA membranes, suggesting potential POPA insertion into the inner leaflet during vesicle formation and suppressed asymmetry. The inverse compositional asymmetry, with POPC in the outer leaflet and POPC:POPA in the inner one yield less stretchable membranes with higher compressibility modulus compared with their symmetric counterparts. Challenges in achieving and predicting compositional correspondence highlight the limitations of phase-transfer-based methods. In addition, caution is advised when using fluorescently labeled lipids (even at low fractions of 0.5 mol %), as unexpected gel-like domains in symmetric POPC:POPA membranes were observed only with a specific type of labeled DOPE (dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine) and the same fraction of unlabeled DOPE. The latter suggest that such domain formation may result from interactions between lipids and membrane fluorescent probes. Overall, this study underscores the complexity of factors influencing GUV membrane asymmetry, emphasizing the need for further research and improvement of characterization techniques.

A Difluoro-Methoxylated Ending-Group Asymmetric Small Molecule Acceptor Lead Efficient Binary Organic Photovoltaic Blend.

Developing a new end group for synthesizing asymmetric small molecule acceptors (SMAs) is crucial for achieving high-performance organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Herein, an asymmetric small molecule acceptor, BTP-BO-4FO, featuring a new difluoro-methoxylated end-group is reported. Compared to its symmetric counterpart L8-BO, BTP-BO-4FO exhibits an upshifted energy level, larger dipole moment, and more sequential crystallinity. By adopting two representative and widely available solvent additives (1-chloronaphthalene (CN) and 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO)), the device based on PM6:BTP-BO-4FO (CN) photovoltaic blend demonstrates a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.62% with an excellent open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.933V, which surpasses the optimal result of L8-BO. The PCE of 18.62% realizes the best efficiencies for binary OPVs based on SMAs with asymmetric end groups. A series of investigations reveal that optimized PM6:BTP-BO-4FO film demonstrates similar molecular packing motif and fibrillar phase distribution as PM6:L8-BO (DIO) does, resulting in comparable recombination dynamics, thus, similar fill factor. Besides, it is found PM6:BTP-BO-4FO possesses more efficient charge generation, which yields better VOC-JSC balance. This study provides a new ending group that enables a cutting-edge efficiency in asymmetric SMA-based OPVs, enriching the material library and shed light on further design ideas.

On the role of asymmetric molecular geometry in high-performance organic solar cells

Although asymmetric molecular design has been widely demonstrated effective for organic photovoltaics (OPVs), the correlation between asymmetric molecular geometry and their optoelectronic properties is still unclear. To access this issue, we have designed and synthesized several symmetric-asymmetric non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) pairs with identical physical and optoelectronic properties. Interestingly, we found that the asymmetric NFAs universally exhibited increased open-circuit voltage compared to their symmetric counterparts, due to the reduced non-radiative charge recombination. From our molecular-dynamic simulations, the asymmetric NFA naturally exhibits more diverse molecular interaction patterns at the donor (D):acceptor (A) interface as compared to the symmetric ones, as well as higher D:A interfacial charge-transfer state energy. Moreover, it is observed that the asymmetric structure can effectively suppress triplet state formation. These advantages enable a best efficiency of 18.80%, which is one of the champion results among binary OPVs. Therefore, this work unambiguously demonstrates the unique advantage of asymmetric molecular geometry, unveils the underlying mechanism, and highlights the manipulation of D:A interface as an important consideration for future molecular design.

Quantum phase synchronization via exciton-vibrational energy dissipation sustains long-lived coherence in photosynthetic antennas

The lifetime of electronic coherences found in photosynthetic antennas is known to be too short to match the energy transfer time, rendering the coherent energy transfer mechanism inactive. Exciton-vibrational coherence time in excitonic dimers which consist of two chromophores coupled by excitation transfer interaction, can however be much longer. Uncovering the mechanism for sustained coherences in a noisy biological environment is challenging, requiring the use of simpler model systems as proxies. Here, via two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy experiments, we present compelling evidence for longer exciton-vibrational coherence time in the allophycocyanin trimer, containing excitonic dimers, compared to isolated pigments. This is attributed to the quantum phase synchronization of the resonant vibrational collective modes of the dimer, where the anti-symmetric modes, coupled to excitonic states with fast dephasing, are dissipated. The decoupled symmetric counterparts are subject to slower energy dissipation. The resonant modes have a predicted nearly 50% reduction in the vibrational amplitudes, and almost zero amplitude in the corresponding dynamical Stokes shift spectrum compared to the isolated pigments. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms for protecting coherences against the noisy environment.

Enhanced interlayer Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction and field-free switching in magnetic trilayers with orthogonal magnetization

The indirect interlayer exchange coupling (IEC) between two magnetic layers holds significant importance in the field of spintronics and has been widely used in the construction of synthetic antiferromagnets. Recently, the interlayer Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI), antisymmetric counterpart of IEC, has been discovered in magnetic trilayers with a heavy-metal spacer. In this study, we present an investigation on antisymmetric and symmetric counterparts of IEC in D022-Mn3Ga/Pt/Co trilayers with orthogonal magnetization. Due to the strong interlayer DMI across the entire multilayer, the symmetry of magnetic reversal process was broken, leading to an enhanced chiral exchange-bias field of 42.7 Oe in the Co layer. In addition, field-free spin–orbit torque (SOT) switching of D022-Mn3Ga layer has been realized in Hall bar devices. In-plane field dependence analysis of the SOT switching behavior reveals that the symmetric counterpart of IEC exhibits antiferromagnetic characteristics within the spacer thickness range of 2 nm ≤ tPt ≤5 nm. Moreover, the magnitude of both antisymmetric and symmetric counterparts of IEC exhibits an exponential decreasing trend with increasing tPt. These findings hold significant implications for the design and manipulation of three-dimensional chiral spin textures in the future spintronic devices.

Uncovering the Crystalline Packing Advantages of Asymmetric Y‐Series Acceptors for Efficient Additive‐Insensitive and Intrinsically Stable Organic Solar Cells

AbstractOrganic solar cells (OSCs) hold immense potential as renewable energy sources, but the performance‐stability conundrum remains a major obstacle on the road to OSC commercialization. To address this, in this study, molecular packing behaviors of representative state‐of‐the‐art Y‐series non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs) are studied, focusing on their terminal group symmetries. Utilizing grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, the distinct crystalline packing structure of these NFAs is revealed. Remarkably, NFAs with asymmetric terminals exhibited excellent additive insensitivity and thermal stability for their crystalline structure, unlike their symmetric counterparts. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stable and robust crystalline feature of asymmetric NFAs and attributed to their large molecular dipole moments. These findings showed the great potential of asymmetric NFAs in fabricating efficient and intrinsically stable additive‐free OSC devices for real applications.

Experimental evidence for immiscibility of enantiomeric polymers: Phase separation of high-molecular-weight poly(ʟ-lactide)/poly(ᴅ-lactide) blends and its impact on hindering stereocomplex crystallization

Although polymers tend not to mix, it remains challenging to characterize the immiscibility of enantiomeric poly(ʟ-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(ᴅ-lactide) (PDLA), particularly with equivalent and high molecular weight (high MW), which frustratingly disfavors the exclusive stereocomplexation. By introducing a random copolymer (PLC) of ʟ-lactide and caprolactone to form binary blends with PLLA and PDLA, the phase behavior of high-MW PLLA/PDLA blends was investigated mainly by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). DSC results showed that PLLA/PLC blends exhibited a single glass transition temperature (Tg), which depended on the blending ratio and precisely corresponded with the theoretical values calculated from the Fox equation. In comparison, PDLA/PLC blends showed composition-dependent heat-capacity increment at two unchanged Tg values of pure PLC and PDLA. AFM observation revealed that PLC is completely miscible with PLLA at high MW but is immiscible with PDLA, logically suggesting immiscibility of high-MW PLLA and PDLA. Moreover, AFM results demonstrated that high-MW PLLA/PDLA blends exhibited spherical droplets in asymmetric blends and bicontinuous interpenetrating worm-like patterns in symmetric counterparts, showing distinct and well-defined interfaces, confirming the microphase separation. Additionally, different MWs fundamentally led to significant differences in miscibility, which consequently affected the crystallization behaviors of PLLA/PDLA blends. This work provides evidence for (im)miscibility and its crucial impact on the crystallization of PLLA/PDLA blends and has important implications for understanding the stereocomplexation of polymers.

First-principles studies on the electronic and photocatalytic water splitting properties of surface functionalized Y2C-based MXenes.

Recently, MXenes, an emerging family of two-dimensional (2D) materials, have attracted increasing interest for photocatalytic water splitting due to their various excellent physical and chemical properties, such as large specific surface area, good hydrophilicity, and remarkable light absorption ability. However, the photocatalysts of MXenes with symmetric structures are limited by rapid recombination of photo-generated carriers and the prerequisite of a large band gap no less than 1.23 eV. Differently, Janus MXenes with different surface functional groups facilitate the separation of photo-generated electrons and holes with the help of the intrinsic electric field. And, at the same time, there is no prerequisite for the band gap of Janus MXene photocatalysts as long as they possess appropriate band edge positions. Here, we explored the structural, electronic and photocatalytic water splitting properties of symmetric Y2CT2 and Janus Y2CTT' MXenes (T, T' = H, F, Cl, OH) using the density functional theory (DFT) method. Our calculations show that all the investigated Y2CT2 are not suitable photocatalysts for photocatalytic water splitting at all pH values (pH = 0, 7, and 14). In contrast, all the investigated Janus Y2CTT' MXenes are good water splitting photocatalysts with high optical absorption coefficients and remarkable solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiencies larger than 18% at pH = 14. Moreover, the STH efficiencies are larger than 18% even at all investigated pH values for Y2CHCl (18.5-22.6%), Y2 CFCl (∼18.7%), and Y2 C(OH)Cl (∼19.4%). Based on the first-principles calculations, we here for the first time propose an easy strategy to design Janus MXene photocatalyst candidates with possible high STH efficiency according to the electronic properties of their symmetric counterparts. Our study is helpful for the future design of Janus MXenes and more generally Janus 2D photocatalysts for water splitting with high STH efficiency.

General soliton solutions for the complex reverse space-time nonlocal mKdV equation on a finite background

Three kinds of Darboux transformations are constructed by means of the loop group method for the complex reverse space-time (RST) nonlocal modified Korteweg–de Vries equation, which are different from that for the PT symmetric (reverse space) and reverse time nonlocal models. The N-periodic, the N-soliton, and the N-breather-like solutions, which are, respectively, associated with real, pure imaginary, and general complex eigenvalues on a finite background are presented in compact determinant forms. Some typical localized wave patterns such as the doubly periodic lattice-like wave, the asymmetric double-peak breather-like wave, and the solitons on singly or doubly periodic waves are graphically shown. The essential differences and links between the complex RST nonlocal equations and their local or PT symmetric nonlocal counterparts are revealed through these explicit solutions and the solving process.

Von Mises-Fisher Elliptical Distribution.

Modern probabilistic learning systems mainly assume symmetric distributions, however, real-world data typically obey skewed distributions and are thus not adequately modeled through symmetric distributions. To address this issue, a generalization of symmetric distributions called elliptical distributions are increasingly used, together with further improvements based on skewed elliptical distributions. However, existing approaches are either hard to estimate or have complicated and abstract representations. To this end, we propose a novel approach based on the von-Mises-Fisher (vMF) distribution to obtain an explicit and simple probability representation of skewed elliptical distributions. The analysis shows that this not only allows us to design and implement nonsymmetric learning systems but also provides a physically meaningful and intuitive way of generalizing skewed distributions. For rigor, the proposed framework is proven to share important and desirable properties with its symmetric counterpart. The proposed vMF distribution is demonstrated to be easy to generate and stable to estimate, both theoretically and through examples.

Enhanced photodynamic activity of asymmetric non-ionic Zn(II) phthalocyanine amphiphiles: Effect of molecular design on In vitro activity

We herein introduce the rational design, synthesis, and photophysical characterizations of three asymmetric Zn(II)Pcs (Pc-Glu4, Pc-Mal4, and Pc-PEG4) bearing four neutral hydrophilic substituents, namely glucosyl, maltosyl, and PEG, on the macrocyclic dual rims. The photodynamic activity of the attained structures, as compared to their fully derivatized hydrophilic versions (hexadeca-glucosylated Pc-Glu16 and PEGylated Pc-PEG16 and AzaPc-PEG16), on several cell lines, e.g., HeLa, SK-MEL-28, MCF-7, was investigated. Results revealed that the newly designed macrocycles were characterized by higher photodynamic activity with EC50 values in (sub)micromolar ranges, which is about two orders of magnitude better than for symmetric hydrophilic counterparts. This has been attributed to their higher uptake by cells as well as their significant interaction with bovine serum albumin and biomembranes. A preserved photodynamic activity during the treatment without incubation on endothelial cell lines (HUVEC and EA.hy928) was detected for the asymmetrical gluco-macrocycles, indicating a good potential for vascular-targeted PDT.

Consensus Control for Multiagent Systems Under Asymmetric Actuator Saturations With Applications to Mobile Train Lifting Jack Systems

In this paper, the consensus control problem is investigated for mobile train lifting jack systems (TLJSs) of electric multiple units in the context of distributed industrial systems. First, a kind of global consensus controller is dedicatedly designed to deal with the underlying actuator limitation that is a typical phenomenon in mobile TLJSs and is referred to as actuator saturation. In order to better cater for the impact from the TLJSs, we consider the asymmetric actuator saturations (rather than their symmetric counterparts) whose side effects are later attenuated by means of a novel Lyapunov-function-based method. A series of experiments are conducted on mobile TLJSs so as to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed consensus control algorithm.

Physically intelligent autonomous soft robotic maze escaper.

Autonomous maze navigation is appealing yet challenging in soft robotics for exploring priori unknown unstructured environments, as it often requires human-like brain that integrates onboard power, sensors, and control for computational intelligence. Here, we report harnessing both geometric and materials intelligence in liquid crystal elastomer-based self-rolling robots for autonomous escaping from complex multichannel mazes without the need for human-like brain. The soft robot powered by environmental thermal energy has asymmetric geometry with hybrid twisted and helical shapes on two ends. Such geometric asymmetry enables built-in active and sustained self-turning capabilities, unlike its symmetric counterparts in either twisted or helical shapes that only demonstrate transient self-turning through untwisting. Combining self-snapping for motion reflection, it shows unique curved zigzag paths to avoid entrapment in its counterparts, which allows for successful self-escaping from various challenging mazes, including mazes on granular terrains, mazes with narrow gaps, and even mazes with in situ changing layouts.