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

For years the efforts of inventors have been directed towards obtaining electrical energy from heat by means of the thermopile.

From The inventions, researches and writings of Nikola Tesla With special reference to his work in polyphase currents and high potential lighting by Martin, Thomas Commerford

The same author states that, "the earth is a great thermopile generating electric currents by the difference of potential between its heated and cooled parts."

From The Universe a Vast Electric Organism by Warder, George Woodward

It has also been proposed by others to water-jacket the electrode chamber, and also to keep it cool by placing it in close proximity to the relatively cool joints of a thermopile.

From Cyclopedia of Telephony & Telegraphy Vol. 1 A General Reference Work on Telephony, etc. etc. by Miller, Kempster

By means of an instrument known as the thermo-electric pile, or thermopile, the various heating power of the whole spectrum, visible and invisible, can be determined.

From Aether and Gravitation by Hooper, William George