A heat exchanger comprises a base, and a plurality of deformable fins connected to a surface of the base. Some deformable fins have a free end configured to move away from the surface of the base as a function of a local temperature increase of the base. The deformable fins are distributed on the surface of the base to be exposed to a coolant flowing over the surface of the base, wherein a distribution of the deformable fins on the surface of the base is non-uniform.