Transmission medium for electrical or optical signals that perform
a particular function, such as computer control.
Byte
A group of eight bits that can represent any of 28 =
256 different entities.
Calibration
A process of adapting a sensor output to a known physical quantity
to improve sensor output accuracy.
Capacitance (C)
The charge-storing ability of a capacitor, defined as the
magnitude of charge stored on either plate divided by the applied
voltage. A 1-F capacitor charged to 1 V contains C of charge (see
also capacitor) and 1 C is an amount of charge equal to that of
about 6.24 × 1018 electrons.
Capacitor
Energy storage circuit element having two conductors separated by
an insulator.
Cathode
The electrode in an electrochemical cell or galvanic couple at
which a reduction reaction occurs; in other words the electrode
receiving electrons from an external circuit.
Ceramic
A nonmetallic material made from clay and hardened by firing at
high temperature; it contains minute silicate crystals suspended
in a glassy cement.
Cermet
A composite material consisting of a combination of ceramic and
metallic meterials. The most common cermets are the cemented
carbides, composed of an extremely hard ceramic (e.g. WC, TiC),
bonded together by a ductile metal such as cobalt or nickel.
Chip
A die (unpackaged semiconductor device) cut from a silicon wafer,
incorporating semiconductor circuit elements such as a sensor,
actuator, resistor, diode, transistor, and/or capacitor.
Chromatography
The general name for a series of methods for separating mixtures
by employing a system with a mobile phase and a stationary phase.
