Abimorph is acantilever used for actuation or sensing which consists of two active layers. It can also have a passive layer between the two active layers. In contrast, a piezoelectricunimorph has only one active (i.e. piezoelectric) layer and one passive (i.e. non-piezoelectric) layer.
The term bimorph is most commonly used withpiezoelectric bimorphs. Inactuator applications, one active layer contracts and the other expands if voltage is applied, thus the bimorph bends. Insensing applications, bending the bimorph produces voltage which can for example be used to measure displacement or acceleration. This mode can also be used forenergy harvesting.[1]
Abimetal could be regarded as a thermally activated bimorph. The first theory about the bending of thermally activated bimorphs was given by Stoney.[2] Newer developments also enabled electrostatically activated bimorphs for the use inmicroelectromechanical systems.[3]