-tron, -tronic, -tronics +

(Greek: a suffix referring to a device, tool, or instrument; more generally, used in the names of any kind of chamber or apparatus used in experiments)


A possible allusion to the Greek instrumental suffix, as in árotron, "plow" as spelled in the U.S. or "plough", as spelled by the British; from the Greek stem aroun, "to plow".

The suffix -tron is the result of the combining form extracted from electron, used with nouns or combining forms, principally in the names of electron tubes (ignitron; klystron; magnetron) and of devices for accelerating subatomic particles (cosmotron; cyclotron); also, more generally, in the names of any kind of chamber or apparatus used in experiments (biotron).

acoustoelectronics (s) (noun) (no pl)
The use of microwave sound waves traveling through specialized solids: Acoustoelectronics is usually done with crystals or metals that react when bombarded with the noise and the processing of such vibrations.
alabastron
A type of Greek pottery used for holding oil, especially perfume or massage oils.

An alabastron has a narrow body with a rounded end, a narrow neck and a broad mouth opening. They were often left without handles, but were equipped with ear-shaped projections in which holes were punched so strings, or narrow ropes, could be placed to make it easier for carrying.

animatronics (an" uh muh TRAHN iks) (pl) (noun) (a plural used as a singular)
The use of computer technology and a form of radio control to give life to puppets or other non-living, lifeless, or inanimate forms: One application of animatronics is to operate robots; especially, for use in films or other kinds of entertainment.

Jackie was fascinated by animatronics when she visited the film museum where there was a live presentation which showed the visitors how it worked to vitalize wooden figures on the stage.

The term animatronics is a blend of the words "animated" and "electronics".

astronomical spectrograph (s) (noun), astronomical spectrographs (pl)
A spectroscope in which the spectra of stars and other celestial objects are recorded on photographic film.

A spectroscope is an instrument for dispersing light; usually, light in the visible range, into a spectrum in order to measure it; such as, a continuous distribution of colored light produced when a beam of white light is dispersed into its components; for example, by a prism.

betatron; beta (ray) + (elec)tron
1. A doughnut-shaped electron accelerator in which the electrons travel in a circular path, being accelerated by a rapidly changing magnetic field.
2. An accelerator in which electrons are accelerated to high energies by an electric field produced by a changing magnetic field.
3. An electromagnetic apparatus for liberating electrons and accelerating them in a quarter-cycle alternating field to the required velocity for discharge against a chosen target.
bevatron
An accelerator in which protons are raised to energies of several billion electron-volts by modulating the frequency of the accelerating voltage.
bioelectronic (adjective), more bioelectronic, most bioelectronic
1. In medicine, a reference to the application of electronic devices to living organisms for clinical testing, diagnosis, and therapy treatment.
2. Relating to the study of electron transfer reactions as they occur in biological, or living systems.
bioelectronics (noun) (a plural form that functions as a singular)
1. The study of the role of intermolecular transfer of electrons in biological regulation and defense.
2. The science of electronic effects and controls of living organisms.
biomechatronics
1. The interdisciplinary study of biology, mechanics, and electronics.
2. The applications of various aspects of biology, mechanics, and electronics.
3. The use of biomedical knowledge for the development and optimization of mechatronic systems.

Interactivity of biological and electromechanical devices

This covers bionics (biology for engineering) as well as biomedical engineering and its related (engineering for biology).

Biomechatronics focuses on the interactivity of biological organs (including the brain) with electromechanical devices and systems.

  • Universities and research centers worldwide have taken notice of biomechatronics in light of its potential for development of advanced medical devices and life-support systems.
  • Primitive biomechatronic devices have existed for quite awhile.
  • The heart pacemaker and the defibrillator are examples.
  • More advanced-pragmatic biometchatronic possibilities that scientists foresee in the near future include:
  1. Pancreas pacemakers for diabetics.
  2. Mentally controlled electronic muscle stimulators for stroke and accident survivors.
  3. Cameras that can be wired into the brain allowing blind people to see.
  4. Microphones that can be wired into the brain allowing deaf people to hear.
Biomechatronics Research and Development
biotron
1. A chamber with a controlled climate; used in experiments to determine the effects of environment on organisms.
2. A place in a laboratory in which temperature and several other environmental conditions can be controlled.
3. A controlled laboratory environment designed to provide uniform experimental conditions with the aim of producing uniform organisms for use in experiments.
calutron (s) (noun), calutrons (pl)
1. A mass spectrometer, an electromagnetic apparatus for separating isotopes of uranium according to mass.

Its name is a combination of California University + tron (Cal+U+tron) in tribute to the University of California, Ernest O. Lawrence's institution and the contractor of the Los Alamos laboratory. It was developed during the Manhattan Project and was similar to the cyclotron invented by Lawrence.

2. A device that separates isotopes by ionizing the sample, accellerating the ions in a strong electric field, and then passing them through a strong magnetic field.
catoptron (s) (noun), catoptrons (pl)
A reflecting optical glass, mirror, or instrument: Mildred got a carpenter to mount the large catoptron on the wall above the fireplace so it could reflect her collection of beautifully colored drinking glasses on the shelves across the room.
cistron
1. A section of DNA that contains the genetic code for a single polypeptide and functions as a hereditary unit.
2. A segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding DNA as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity.
cosmotron
A large proton synchrotron which uses frequency modulation of an electric field to accelerate protons.