selenium cell

American  

noun

Electricity.

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

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selenium cell British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of selenium cell

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

selenium cell

Stebbins of Urbana has been very successful in its application and he discovered the secondary minimum of Algol with the selenium cell.

From Astronomy: The Science of the Heavenly Bodies by David Peck Todd

On the window-sill outside is a selenium cell.

From The Silent Bullet by Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin) Reeve

The sensitive selenium cell proved unreliable, however, and this means of communication was destined to failure.

From Masters of Space Morse, Thompson, Bell, Marconi, Carty by Walter Kellogg Towers

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 Thomas W. Corbin

Kennedy picked up the selenium cell and a long coil of fine wire which he placed in a bag.

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