Abstract
The use of thermistors started when the scientists discovered that metals have a semiconductor property. The inventor of the first operating thermistor is Samuel Ruben. Thermistors are resistors which could vary their resistance with the change of temperature. The industry of thermistor rapidly increases due to its reliability and low price. Then, its uses became wider as more and more devices are installed by the thermistors. As the technology progresses, the use of thermistors in any devices and instruments also developed (Ametherm, np).
History
In 1833, Michael Faraday discovered that silver sulfide (Ag2S) has a semiconductor property. He observed it using the Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor. The application of the thermistor was not yet understood that time. Thermistors are very difficult to produce and early scientists questioned its practicality. When the people discovered the uses of the thermistors in 1930s, they began manufacturing it. The Bell Telephone Laboratories developed techniques for the improvement of the thermistors production in 1940s. With the emergence of the electronic circuits, the disc type thermistors became available in the market (Ametherm, np).
Over the years, the thermistors are being enhanced due to the increase in the demand for more stable and accurate devices. Chip thermistors are used for most of the devices in 1980s. It refers to the resistor with tight tolerance. Its demand was high due to its low cost of production and reliability. The most common use of thermistors in the modern times is for the automobiles, ventilation, air conditioning, telecommunications, medical purposes and food production (Ametherm, np).
Inventor
The discovery of the principle or the theory of thermistor is attributed to Michael Faraday. However, Faraday did not elaborate the practical use of the thermistor and did not know its major application. Samuel Ruben is the one that build the first operating thermistor in 1930. The production of the thermistor started with the invention of Samuel Ruben. The development of the thermistor industry is due to its reliability and low cost (Ametherm, np).
Uses in industry
The major use of the thermistors is for the electric circuit regulation. Thermistors are installed for the voltage regulation, circuit protection, control of major components and temperature compensation. The use of thermistor widens as it is now used in automobiles, medical application and food production. In the automobiles, thermistors are used to monitor the temperature of the engine and to cure truck tire. It could also be used in the military purposes such as missiles and spacecraft. Thermistors are also used to monitor and control the temperature in the air conditioning and refrigeration. In general, the use of thermistors could be very vast as long as temperature is concern (Electrotechnik, np).
Theory
Thermistors are resistors which vary its resistance due to temperature change. There are two types of thermistors which is the positive and the negative temperature coefficient thermistors. The negative temperature coefficient thermistors decrease its resistance as the temperature increases. The negative thermistors are the most sensitive type and could be large enough to control significant amount of temperature (Electrotechnik, np).
Conclusion
Thermistors are mainly used to control and monitor the temperature is any devices or instruments. The production or the industry of thermistors progresses rapidly due to its reliability and low cost of production. The principle of thermistors was developed by Michael Faraday although its invention was made by Samuel Ruben. Thermistors could be used in electric circuit, medical purposes, military application and many more (Electrotechnik, np).
Works cited:
Ametherm. “Thermistor Applications.” Ametherm: Circuit Protection Thermistors. Ametherm, Inc. nd. Web. From (http://www.ametherm.com/thermistor/thermistor-applications)
Electrotechnik. “Thermistors: An Overview.” Electrotechnik: A Magazine on Electronic Engineering. Electrotechnik.net. 2011. Web. From (http://www.electrotechnik.net/2012/09/thermistors-overview.html)
