Symmetry and Asymmetry in Electrical Engineering Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Symmetry and asymmetry are fundamental concepts underpinning the analysis, modeling, design, and operation of electrical engineering systems. Symmetry often enables simplified representations, predictable behavior, and stable system operation, whereas asymmetry—whether inherent, unintentional, or externally induced—can result in complex dynamics, degraded performance, reduced reliability, or, in some cases, novel and beneficial functionalities. Such phenomena appear across a broad range of electrical engineering systems, including power and energy systems, electronics, control and automation, signal processing, communications, electromagnetics, sensing, and materials.

We invite researchers and practitioners to contribute to this Special Issue, which will focus on the theoretical and practical aspects of symmetry and asymmetry in electrical engineering systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on modern and intelligent systems, where increasing system complexity, heterogeneity, and cyber–physical integration make asymmetric behaviors more prevalent. In addition to physical imbalances, component faults, and modeling uncertainties, external intrusions such as cyber attacks, malicious data manipulation, and communication disruptions can induce asymmetric system responses that significantly affect observability, control, and stability.

This Special Issue aims to provide a focused yet comprehensive forum for high-quality original research and review articles addressing symmetry- and asymmetry-related phenomena in electrical engineering systems. The topic aligns closely with the scope of the journal Symmetry, emphasizing symmetry principles and asymmetry effects in physical systems, signal representations, control strategies, computational models, and experimental investigations. Contributions that develop or apply artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-driven techniques to detect, locate, and isolate the sources of asymmetric behaviors—particularly under faulted or cyber-compromised conditions—are especially encouraged.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and review papers are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Symmetry and asymmetry in electrical engineering systems and networks;
• Symmetrical components, imbalance analysis, and fault behavior;
• Symmetry in electronic circuits, devices, and power conversion systems;
• Asymmetry effects in control systems and automation;
• Symmetry and asymmetry in signal processing, estimation, and detection;
• Communication, sensing, and measurement asymmetries;
• Electromagnetic field symmetry and asymmetric propagation phenomena;
• Sensor geometry, measurement symmetry, and instrumentation-induced errors;
• Cyber attacks, external intrusions, and security-induced asymmetric behaviors;
• AI-based methods for detecting, locating, and isolating asymmetric system components.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Hassan Ali
Dr. Omar Ali Beg
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.