Locking device formed of thermally adaptive multi-metallic material and a thermoelectric junction and method of manufacturing the same

A locking device comprising:

• a composition gradient defining a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a second coefficient of thermal expansion that differs from the first coefficient of thermal expansion;
• and a thermoelectric junction operationally coupled to the composition gradient, wherein the composition gradient is formed of either of a plurality of dissimilar metals or of plastic with fillings or fibers;
• and
• a base formed by the composition gradient defining the first coefficient of thermal expansion and the second coefficient of thermal expansion that differs from the first coefficient of thermal expansion, so that:
• the base defines an outer boundary and beads within the outer boundary, each of the beads has a bead void;
• and each of the beads includes:
• first and second perimeter segments that are opposite each other and formed to define the first CTE;
• and third and fourth perimeter segments that are opposite each other, adjacent to the first and second perimeter segments, and formed to define the second CTE;
• and the thermoelectric junction is provided around the outer boundary or in one or more of the bead voids.