Thermometers are constructed using a variety of materials, depending on their type and intended use. 
1. **Liquid-in-glass thermometers**: These traditional thermometers use a glass tube filled with a liquid, typically mercury or alcohol. The glass is usually made from borosilicate due to its thermal resistance and clarity. Mercury is used for its uniform expansion and visibility, while alcohol, often dyed red or blue, is used for its safety and lower freezing point.
2. **Digital thermometers**: These consist of a plastic or metal casing, housing electronic components. The sensor is often a thermistor or a thermocouple, made from semiconductor materials like silicon or metal alloys. The display is typically an LCD, made from liquid crystals sandwiched between glass or plastic layers.
3. **Infrared thermometers**: These devices use a lens, often made from germanium or silicon, to focus infrared radiation onto a detector. The detector is usually a thermopile or a pyroelectric sensor, made from materials like lithium tantalate. The casing is typically plastic or metal, providing durability and insulation.
4. **Bimetallic strip thermometers**: These thermometers use a strip composed of two different metals, such as steel and copper or brass, bonded together. The metals expand at different rates, causing the strip to bend with temperature changes. The casing is often metal or plastic.
5. **Thermocouple thermometers**: These consist of two dissimilar metal wires, such as copper and constantan, joined at one end. The junction produces a voltage that varies with temperature. The wires are often insulated with materials like fiberglass or ceramic.
6. **Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs)**: These use a wire coil or thin film made from pure metals like platinum, nickel, or copper. The wire is often encased in a ceramic or glass tube for protection.
Each type of thermometer is designed with specific materials to optimize accuracy, durability, and safety for its intended application.