A drive shaft extending along a central axis and being configured to operate under dominant unidirectional torsional load, the drive shaft comprising: an asymmetrically-structured composite body configured to have a greater torque-carrying capability in a first torsional direction than in a second torsional direction, the second torsional direction being opposite the first torsional direction; wherein the asymmetrically-structured composite body comprises: a first plurality of fibers oriented in a first direction at a first angle with respect to the central axis; and a second plurality of fibers oriented in a second direction at a second angle with respect to the central axis, wherein the first and second directions are different; and wherein the first plurality of fibers and the second plurality of fibers provide a greater torque-carrying capability in the first torsional direction than in the second torsional direction; wherein the first plurality of fibers comprises more fibers than the second plurality of fibers; wherein fibers of the first plurality of fibers are embedded within a polymer matrix and arranged in a first plurality of layers and wherein fibers of the second plurality of fibers are embedded in a polymer matrix and arranged in a second plurality of layers; wherein the first plurality of fibers is substantially oriented in a compressive stress direction when operating under the dominant unidirectional torsional load and wherein the second plurality of fibers is substantially oriented in a tensile stress direction when operating under the dominant unidirectional torsional load; wherein the first plurality of layers outnumbers the second plurality of layers by at least a factor of 1.05; and/or wherein a total thickness of the first plurality of layers is greater than a total thickness of the second plurality of layers by at least a factor of 1.05. an asymmetrically-structured composite body configured to have a greater torque-carrying capability in a first torsional direction than in a second torsional direction, the second torsional direction being opposite the first torsional direction; wherein the asymmetrically-structured composite body comprises: a first plurality of fibers oriented in a first direction at a first angle with respect to the central axis; and a second plurality of fibers oriented in a second direction at a second angle with respect to the central axis, wherein the first and second directions are different; and wherein the first plurality of fibers and the second plurality of fibers provide a greater torque-carrying capability in the first torsional direction than in the second torsional direction; a first plurality of fibers oriented in a first direction at a first angle with respect to the central axis; and a second plurality of fibers oriented in a second direction at a second angle with respect to the central axis, wherein the first and second directions are different; and wherein the first plurality of fibers and the second plurality of fibers provide a greater torque-carrying capability in the first torsional direction than in the second torsional direction; wherein the first plurality of fibers comprises more fibers than the second plurality of fibers; wherein fibers of the first plurality of fibers are embedded within a polymer matrix and arranged in a first plurality of layers and wherein fibers of the second plurality of fibers are embedded in a polymer matrix and arranged in a second plurality of layers; wherein the first plurality of fibers is substantially oriented in a compressive stress direction when operating under the dominant unidirectional torsional load and wherein the second plurality of fibers is substantially oriented in a tensile stress direction when operating under the dominant unidirectional torsional load; wherein the first plurality of layers outnumbers the second plurality of layers by at least a factor of 1.05; and/or wherein a total thickness of the first plurality of layers is greater than a total thickness of the second plurality of layers by at least a factor of 1.05.