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

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 Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

Form of selenium cell used by Bell and Tainter 110 54.

From Wireless Transmission of Photographs Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged 1919 by Martin, Marcus J.

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 Towers, Walter Kellogg

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 Todd, David Peck

The selenium cell S1 should have great sensitiveness and small inertia, the compensating cell S2 having proportionally small sensitiveness and large inertia.

From Wireless Transmission of Photographs Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged 1919 by Martin, Marcus J.