PELTIER Meaning and
Definition
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Peltier refers to a type of thermoelectric device, also known as a Peltier module or a thermoelectric cooler, which is capable of generating both heating and cooling effects by manipulating electric current. This effect is named after its discoverer, Jean Charles Athanase Peltier, a French physicist from the 19th century.
A Peltier device consists of two dissimilar conductive materials, typically metal alloys or semiconductors, that are joined together and sandwiched between ceramic plates. When an electric current is passed through the device, one side becomes cooler while the other side simultaneously becomes hotter, due to the transfer of heat from one side to the other. This phenomenon is known as the Peltier effect or thermoelectric effect.
The Peltier effect is based on the principle of electron flow and the temperature difference across the device. When the current flows through the Peltier device, the electrons gain energy and move from the hot side to the cold side. As they move, they carry away thermal energy, resulting in cooling on one side and heating on the other side. The direction of the heat flow can be reversed by changing the direction of the current.
Peltier devices are commonly used in various applications, including thermoelectric cooling of electronic components, temperature regulation in scientific instruments, refrigeration systems, and even in some portable cooling devices. They offer advantages such as compact size, solid-state construction, precise temperature control, and maintenance-free operation.
Etymology of PELTIER
The word "peltier" is derived from the surname of Jean-Charles-Athanase Peltier, a French physicist. Peltier made significant contributions to the field of thermoelectricity in the early 19th century. The term "Peltier effect" is used to refer to the phenomenon of heat absorption or release occurring at the junction of two different metals or semiconductors when an electric current is passed through them. This effect is the basis of Peltier devices or thermoelectric coolers, which use the Peltier effect to cool or heat objects. Thus, the term "peltier" is a tribute to the scientist who first investigated and described the thermoelectric effect.
Similar spelling words for PELTIER
