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.

electrooptical imaging sensor, electro-optical imaging sensor
In robotics, a camera or other deice at the end of a robot's arm which is used to take hold of or to manipulate an object which is being worked on.
electro-optical material, electro optical material
A material which is capable of transforming electrical information into optical information or performing some optical function in response to an electric signal.

One example is lead lanthanum zirconate titanate, a transparent ferroelectric ceramic whose optical properties can be changed by an electric field.

In lasers, such materials can be used for beam deflection, beam modulation, and Q switching (a switch that allows for the build-up of energy before it is switched open to allow light to move out).

electro-optical material, electrooptical material
A material which is capable of transforming electrical information into optical information or performing some optical function in response to an electric signal.

One example is lead lanthanum zirconte titanate, a transparent ferroelectric ceramic whose optical properties can be changed by an electric field.

In lasers, such materials can be used for beam deflection, beam modulation, and Q switching (Quality switch or an optical valve in a laser that prevents light from transmitting outside the resonating cavity).

The Q switch allows for the build-up of energy before it is switched open to allow light to move out.

electrooptical modulator, electro-optical modulator
An optical modulator in which a Kerr cell, an electro-optical crystal, or other signal-controlled electro-optical device is used to modulate the amplitude, phase, frequency, or direction of a light beam.

With a laser beam, modulating frequencies well into the gigahertz range are possible.

A Kerr cell is an optical device consisting of a transparent cell with two electrodes between two polarizing media which passes light only if the two planes of polarization are parallel and it is used as a high-speed shutter or to modulate a laser beam.

electro-optical shutter, electrooptical shutter
A shutter which uses a Kerr cell to modulate a beam of light.
electro-optical transistor
A transistor capable of responding in nanoseconds to both light and electrical signals.
electrooptical, electro-optical
An electronic instrument for emitting, modulating, transmitting, or sensing light. The effects electricity has on optical materials; such as, a change in refraction or birefringence which is the optical property of a material that causes the polarizations of light to travel at different speeds.
electrooptics, electro-optics
1. The study of the influence of an electric field on optical phenomena, as in the electro-optical Kerr effect (pattern of double refraction) and the Stark effect (effect of an electric field on spectrum lines).
2. A branch of physics that functions with the influence and effects of an electric field on light going through the optical properties of matter; especially, in its crystalline form.

These properties include the transmission, emission, and the absorption of light.

The term electro-optics is used interchangeably with the broader term optoelectronics.

electro-organic chemistry, electroorganic chemistry
The branch of chemistry dealing with the electrochemistry of organic compounds.
electro-osmosis
1. The movement through a membrane of the solvent phase of a colloidal solution when an electric potential is applied by electrodes positioned on either side of the membrane.
2. The movement of a conductive liquid through a membrane or across immobilized colloid particles under the influence of an electric current.
electroosmosis, electro-osmosis, electroendosmosis
1. The movement of a conductive liquid through a permeable membrane or across immobilized colloid particles under the influence of an electric current.
2. The migration, under the influence of an electric field, of the liquid phase of a colloidal solution toward an electrode.
electroosmotic driver, electro-osmotic driver; micropump
1. A solution in which voltage is converted into fluid pressure by the streaming of the potential effect.
2. A type of solion for converting voltage into fluid pressure, which uses depolarizing electrodes sealed in an electrolyte and which operates through the streaming potential effect.

A solion is an electrochemical device in which amplification is obtained by controlling and monitoring a reversible electrochemical reaction or a low-frequency amplifying device that operates by controlling the flow of ions in a solution; some types, such as, the micropump, accomplish this by means of an electro-osmotic pressure.

electrooxidizable, electro-oxidizable
A reference to oxidation that occurs at the anode (terminal on a device that receives current) of an electrolytic cell.
electropad
The part of an electrocardiograph body electrode which makes contact with the skin.
electropainting, electrophoretic painting
A process used to apply the first coat of paint (primer) on the bodies of cars.

The process involves using negatively charged paint particles (anodic electropainting) or positively charged paint particles (cathodic electropainting).

The cleaned metal parts to be coated are immersed in a tank of electrodeposition paint, and the current is turned on, so that the paint particles are attracted by the positively charged paint particles.

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.