Thermally adaptive top foil of a gas foil bearing

A component of a gas foil bearing, comprising:

• a plurality of material layers forming a composition gradient that defines a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and a second CTE that differs from the first CTE,
• wherein:
• the plurality of material layers include at least two metals, plastics, or fiber filled metals or plastics, that are layered on top of each other, such that the layers define the first and second CTEs;
• when the component is subject to heating, the component changes from a first shape to a second shape;
• and
• the component is a top foil,
• wherein the first shape is a curved triangle, and the second shape is circular.