thermopile

[ thur-muh-pahyl ]

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.

thermopile

/ 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

thermopile

/ thûr′mə-pīl′ /

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of thermopile¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of thermopile¹

C19: from thermo- + pile ¹(in the sense: voltaic pile)

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

The science behind the treatment lies in a special mixture of two types of bacteria — lactobacillius sp and streptococcus thermopiles — as well as the essence of tangerines.

From New York Times

The measurements were chiefly of a qualitative character, and were made by interposing between the source and a thermopile a layer or plate of the substance to be examined.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

The principle of the thermopile we need not describe in detail.

From Project Gutenberg