electro-, electr-, electri-

(Greek > Latin: electric, electricity; from amber, resembling amber, generated from amber which when rubbed vigorously [as by friction], produced the effect of static electricity)

Electronics in our lives consists of numerous tools

Equipment which we use everyday relies on electronics to function including calculators, car controls, cameras, washing machines, medical scanners, mobile telephones, radar systems, computers; as well as many other applications or devices which are listed in this unit.

electrocardioscope, cardioscope
1. An instrument for the examination or visualization of the interior of the cardiac or heart chambers.
2. A device which, by means of a cathoderay oscillograph, projects an electrcardiographic or a phonocardiographic record on a luminous screen.
electrocardioscopy
1. An instrument that permits direct visual inspection of the interior of the heart.
2. An instrument that permits continuous electrocardiographic observation of the heart's action during an operation.
electrocatalysis (s), electrocatlyses (pl)
1. The chemical decomposition of tissues caused by the application of electric current to the body.
2. The acceleration of a chemical reaction in the region of an electrode.
3. Breaking down a substance with electric stimulation.
4. Catalysis or chemical changes produced by the action of electricity.
electrocauterization, electric cauterization
1. The cauterization of tissue with an electrocautery; in other words, the destruction of tissue with an electric current.
2. A method of removing warts or polyps by placing a needle or wire loop heated by a direct galvanic current on the tissue to be removed.
electrocautery, electric coagulation
1. The cauterization or destruction of tissue using electric current to generate heat.
2. A hand-held, needle-like cautery heated by an electric current.
3. The application of a needle or snare heated by electric current for the destruction of tissue; such as, for removing warts or polyps (benign tumors) and cauterizing small blood vessels to limit blood loss during surgical procedures.
4. The process of cutting and cauterizing skin simultaneously, or coagulating blood from vessels around a surgical incision by using an electrical-cautery instrument.
5. Cauterization using platinum wires heated to red or white heat by an electric current, either direct or alternating.
electrocerebellogram
A record of the electrical activity displayed by the cerebellum.

Using electrodes with suitably small contacts, it is distinguished by random, high-frequency activity.

electrochemical
Relating to electrochemistry; that is, having to do with the relationship of chemical changes and electric forces.
electrochemical cell
1. A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy by passing current between a negative electrode and a positive electrode, through an ionically conducting electrolyte phase.

Relating to or containing matter in the form of charged atoms or groups of atoms.

2. A device containing two conducting electrodes, one positive and the other negative, made of dissimilar materials (usually metals) that are immersed in a chemical solution (electrolyte) that transmits positive ions from the negative to the positive electrode and so forms an electrical charge.

One or more cells result in a battery.

electrochemical equivalent
The mass of a substance reacting when a specified quantity of electric charge is passed during electrolysis.
electrochemical machining, ECM; electrolytic machining
1. Removing excess metal by electrolytic dissolution, effected by the tool acting as the cathode against the workpiece acting as the anode.
2. An electrochemical process, similar to electroplating, in which the workpiece acts as an anode and the tool as a cathode.
3. A metal-cutting process that is the reverse of electroplating.

A low DC voltage is applied between the workpiece and a tool having the shape of the desired cut, and saltwater or some other electrolyte is pumped at high pressure through the gap between the workpiece and the tool.

Electrochemical action in the gap erodes metal from the workpiece.

4. A process to produce metallic objects with a technique that is essentially precision electrodissolution (dissolving of a substance from an electrode by electrolysis).

One of the advantages of this production technique is that very complicated shapes can be produced with a single operation from very hard alloys that would be very difficult, if not impossible, to machine with any other metal cutting technique.

Some typical applications are the production of turbine blades and the drilling of holes with very large depth-to-diameter ratio.

electro-chemistry
The science dealing with chemical changes produced by the flow of electric currents and with the energy relations of those changes.

It has applications in the production of aluminum or chlorine, in the purification of copper, etc.

electrochemistry
1. The branch of science and technology that deals with the transformations between chemical reactions and electrical energy.
2. A branch of chemistry that studies chemical changes associated with electrons and electricity.
3. The scientific study of chemical changes that occur when a chemical reaction produces an electric current, or a reverse action takes place.
4. The study of the electric effects which accompany chemical actions and the chemical activities produced by electric influences.
5. The science of chemical changes produced by electricity and of the interconversion of electrical and chemical energy.
electrocholecystectomy
The removal of the gallbladder by electrosurgery.
electrocholecystocausis
An electrocauterization of the gallbladder.
electrochromatography
1. A type of chromatography that utilizes the application of an electric potential to produce an electric differential (the difference between two effects, motions, forces, etc.).
2. A chemical separation technique in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology which is used to resolve and to separate mostly large biomolecules; such as, proteins.

Electrochromatography is a combination of size exclusion chromatography (gel filtration chromatography) and gel electrophoresis.

The term "gel" in this instance refers to the matrix used to contain, then separate the target molecules.

The references or sources of information for compiling the words and definitions in this unit are listed at this Electronic Bibliography page or specific sources are indicated when they are appropriate.


A cross reference of word units that are related, directly and/or indirectly, with "electricity": galvano-; hodo-; ion-; piezo-; -tron; volt; biomechatronics, info; mechatronics, info.