Directed liquid motion has been conventionally mediated by functionalizing chemical inhomogeneity or texturing topological anisotropy on target surfaces. Here we show the self-propulsion of droplets that furcated in well-defined directions on piezoelectric single crystals in the absence of any apparent asymmetry or external force. By selecting the crystal plane to interface with the droplets, the thermoelastic–piezoelectric interplay yields intricate electric potential profiles, enabling various forms of self-propulsion including unidirectional, bifurcated and trifurcated. This effect originates from an anisotropic crystalline structure that generates contrasting macroscopic liquid behaviours and is observed with cold/hot and volatile droplets. Intrinsically oriented liquid motions have broad applicability in processes ranging from soft matter engineering, autonomous material delivery and thermal management to biochemical analysis.

定向液体运动通常通过功能化化学不均匀性或对目标表面上的拓扑各向异性进行纹理化来调节。在这里，我们展示了在没有任何明显不对称或外力的情况下，在压电单晶上以明确的方向分叉的液滴的自推进。通过选择与液滴接触的晶面，热弹性-压电相互作用产生复杂的电势分布，从而实现各种形式的自推进，包括单向、分叉和三叉。这种效应源于产生对比宏观液体行为的各向异性晶体结构，并在冷/热和挥发性液滴中观察到。