Abstract: A thermal-mechanical linear actuator can include a first stage comprising one of a positive coefficient of thermal expansion (“CTE”) material or a negative CTE material and a second stage comprising the other of the positive CTE material or the negative CTE material. The second stage can be at least partially inserted into the first stage. The actuator can further comprise a thermal isolator disposed between the first stage and the second stage to thermally isolate the first stage from the second stage. Heat inputs can be provided where the heat inputs can control the temperature of the first and second stages independently. A hyperbolic meta material can be wrapped or coated around the first stage.