Today it means: An electrochemical heat engine, with no moving parts, which can take a heat source and convert it to electric power, or take electric power to cool the thermal interface. A device which pushes hydrogen gas through a proton-exchange membrane (PEM), using either heat-induced pressure or electricity to drive the process. Full definition →
Johnson + thermoelectric + energy + converter. Coined by American nuclear engineer and aerospace engineer Lonnie Johnson, who invented it. Named after American nuclear engineer and aerospace engineer Lonnie Johnson, who invented it.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.