Bimetallic strip deflection

Cantilever deflections are also caused by small changes in temperature, because the usual fabrication produces a bimetallic strip configuration. Thus the AFM arrangement could be used to measure tiny thermal changes that arise in electrochemical cells. Applications of this type are just emerging. 

The simplified expression is an excellent approximation for the deflection at low angles, which is the case for most flat bimetallic strips. 

Bimetallic thermometer (bimetallic strip which shows a deflection due to differential expansivity that is proportional to temperature—frequently used for temperature control by coupling the bimetallic strip to a mechanical switch to control the chosen device). 

---