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thermoelectricity

thermoelectricity

1 7.9
Electricity made directly from heat
  • noun
  • /ˌθɜrməʊɪˈlɛktrɪsɪti/
  • Specialized
: termoelectricidad
  • Researchers are exploring thermoelectricity to create more efficient energy systems.

Examples

  • This effect could help to control material properties such as superconductivity or thermoelectricity.

    Blog text (17)
  • DMP: Thermal Transport and Thermoelectricity in Nanotubes and Graphene. Shi.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Electricity produced from heat, known as thermoelectricity, can power small devices in remote areas.

  • The principle of thermoelectricity is utilized in some temperature measurement devices.

Surface Forms

Morphology

thermoelectricity = thermoelectric (semi-transparent) = thermo + electric + ity

The word is built regularly from the scientific adjective 'thermoelectric' plus '-ity', but the specialized technical meaning may not be fully inferable for all learners.

Etymology

Thermoelectricity combines thermo- ('heat') and electricity ('electric power'), as in thermometer which measures heat and the familiar word electricity. So, thermoelectricity means making electric power directly from heat.