Thermo

Thermo is a term used as both a prefix and a stand-alone name in various contexts. Etymologically, it derives from the Greek thermē, meaning heat. In scientific and engineering communication, thermo- signals a relationship to heat, temperature, or thermal phenomena and appears in numerous compound terms across physics, chemistry, and materials science.

In science and engineering, the prefix appears in a wide range of terms. Thermodynamics studies energy transfer involving heat and work. A thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature. Thermistors and thermocouples are devices that sense temperature. Thermoplastics are polymers that become moldable upon heating, while thermoelectric materials convert temperature differences into electricity. Thermochemical terms describe reactions driven by heat. The prefix helps distinguish heat-related properties and processes from other physical quantities.

In branding and industry, Thermo Fisher Scientific is a major biotechnology company formed in 2006 by the merger of Thermo Electron and Fisher Scientific. The Thermo name and the Thermo Scientific brand appear on many laboratory instruments and consumables, reflecting the company’s historical roots and product lines. Outside corporate usage, “thermo” generally lacks a single official owner and is instead a descriptive prefix whose meaning depends on the context in which it appears.