De Corato, MarcoPagonabarraga, IgnacioNatale, Giovanniantonio2021-11-062021-11-062021-11-062021-10-1510.1103/PhysRevE.104.044607https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/182852WOS:000708112200005Polar active particles constitute a wide class of active matter that is able to propel along a preferential direction, given by their polar axis. Here, we demonstrate a generic active mechanism that leads to their spontaneous chiralization through a symmetry-breaking instability. We find that the transition of an active particle from a polar to a chiral symmetry is characterized by the emergence of active rotation and of circular trajectories. The instability is driven by the advection of a solute that interacts differently with the two portions of the particle surface and it occurs through a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation.Physics, Fluids & PlasmasPhysics, MathematicalPhysicspropulsiondynamicswaterinstabilitytext::journal::journal article::research article