ClimateAugust 6, 2026

nitride

NY-trayd

Definition

A chemical compound containing nitrogen with a more electropositive element, used in this context as a component in advanced, heat-resistant semiconductors.

Etymology

Derived from the combination of 'nitrogen' and the chemical suffix '-ide' (used to denote a binary compound). The term emerged in the 19th century to describe nitrogen-based compounds in chemistry.

In the news

The article mentions gallium nitride as a key material in new, hardy sensors that allow electronic equipment to function in the extreme temperatures found deep underground.

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nlr.gov

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