selenium cell

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. a photovoltaic cell consisting of a thin strip of selenium placed between two metal electrodes.

---

selenium cell British  

noun

1. a photoelectric cell containing a strip of selenium between two metal electrodes

---

Etymology

Origin of selenium cell

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

selenium cell

If the light is varied properly, by any suitable means, a telephonic or other corresponding current is produced, which can be utilized by any suitable apparatus, thus requiring no battery but the selenium cell itself.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 492, June 6, 1885 by Various

A luminous ray falling on a selenium cell produces a variation of electric resistance, thanks to which a sound signal can be transmitted by light.

From The New Physics and Its Evolution by Poincaré, Lucien

There was not a soul in the room, nothing but the selenium cell, the chairs, the desk.

From The Exploits of Elaine by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

Moreover, the light passes right through the photograph and falls upon a mirror inside, off which it is reflected on to a selenium cell.

From Marvels of Scientific Invention An Interesting Account in Non-technical Language of the Invention of Guns, Torpedoes, Submarine Mines, Up-to-date Smelting, Freezing, Colour Photography, and many other recent Discoveries of Science by Corbin, Thomas W.

The faithful little selenium cell burglar alarm had done the trick.

From The War Terror by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)