thermopile

American  

[thur-muh-pahyl] / ˈθɜr məˌpaɪl /

noun

Physics.

1. a device consisting of a number of thermocouples joined in series, used for generating thermoelectric current or for detecting and measuring radiant energy, as from a star.

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thermopile British  

/ ˈθɜːməʊˌpaɪl /

noun

1. an instrument for detecting and measuring heat radiation or for generating a thermoelectric current. It consists of a number of thermocouple junctions, usually joined together in series

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thermopile Scientific  

/ thûr′mə-pīl′ /

1. A device consisting of a number of thermocouples connected in series or parallel, used for measuring temperature or generating current.

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Etymology

Origin of thermopile

First recorded in 1840–50; thermo- + pile ¹

Compare meaning

How does thermopile compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• thermopile vs. thermocouple

Example Sentences

While some devices have shown improved performance by combining layers with different thermopower signs in thermopile devices, this approach generally requires the use of different materials and altering the manufacturing process.

From Science Daily • Jan. 23, 2024

What the real limit of the spectrum is, is at present unknown; Mr. Langley with his bolometer, and rock-salt prisms, an instrument more sensitive than the thermopile, must have nearly reached it.

From Colour Measurement and Mixture by Abney, W. de W.

On the top of the mountain, at an elevation of ten thousand feet, he found that the moon's rays affected his thermopile to the same extent as a standard candle ten feet away.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 443, June 28, 1884 by Various

Here I have the mechanism, operated by the feeble current from the thermopile, opening and closing switches, and actuating bells and lights.

From The Dream Doctor by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

Indeed, the thermopile in the hands of Lockyer has already made palpable the heat of the fixed stars.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 288, July 9, 1881 by Various