transducer

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'transducer' is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a device that converts energy from one form to another, typically in the context of measuring and recording data. Example: The scientist used a pressure transducer to convert the pressure exerted by the gas into an electrical signal that could be recorded and analyzed by the computer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This transducer, similar in size to a small plate, is made of a special material that expands and contracts suddenly when a voltage is applied, creating an acoustic wave in the water.

The Economist

It contains a computer to process signals, a microphone to pick up sound waves, and a piezoelectric transducer to emit them.

The Economist

Besides showing the patient's internal anatomy, MRI is able to map the local temperature and thus indicate exactly where the ultrasound is arriving and how much heat is being delivered to the target.The ultrasound itself is produced by an array of 211 transducer elements that generate beams that converge on the target.

The Economist

The size, weight and cost of the imaging consoles has shrunk, but the transducer probe which is placed on the body has remained largely unchanged and is now the most costly part of the system.

The Economist

It contains tiny piezoelectric structures that are made by painstakingly micro-machining a brittle block of ceramic material.Now GE has developed an additive system to print the transducer.

The Economist

It is then zapped using a transducer array similar to InSightec's.The difference in cost is huge: around $50,000 compared with $1m for the MRI-based system (in addition to the cost of the MRI scanner itself).

The Economist

The waves are then reflected back from areas where there is a change in density and on their return the transducer works in reverse, producing a signal which the scanner can process into a digital image.To make a transducer by painstakingly micro-machining a brittle block of ceramic material can take many hours of work, though.

The Economist

A question of character Better ways to collaborate And the winners were... Powering the drive Read all about it Nuclear's next generation Fields of automation Son et lumière meets surgery Beyond the ether ReprintsJust as light rays focused by a lens can create searing heat, so too can ultrasound waves that are generated from a specially designed transducer.

The Economist

Although researchers have had new transducer designs in mind for years, it has been impractical to construct them subtractively.

The Economist

But they are easy to print.The GE process for making a transducer begins by spreading onto the print table a thin layer of ceramic slurry containing a light-sensitive polymer.

The Economist

The crystal microphone uses a piezoelectric crystal as its transducer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the function of a "transducer", clearly specify the types of energy being converted to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The pressure transducer converts mechanical pressure into an electrical signal".

Common error

Avoid using "transducer" as a general term for any sensor. A "transducer" specifically converts energy from one form to another, not just detect a phenomenon.

Linguistic Context

The word "transducer" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a device that converts energy from one form to another. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it is often used to describe components in various technological and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

32%

Science

31%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "transducer" is a noun referring to a device that converts energy from one form to another. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. Common applications include medical imaging and sensor technology. To ensure clarity, specify the types of energy being converted when using "transducer". Alternatives include "energy converter" and "signal converter", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transducing device

A rephrasing that emphasizes the action of transducing.

energy converter

Focuses on the function of changing energy from one form to another, losing the specific technical connotation.

sensor

Highlights the sensing functionality but may not always imply an energy conversion.

signal converter

Highlights the conversion of signals, applicable when the energy form is a signal.

signal generator

Relevant when the transducer's primary function is to produce a signal based on input.

sensing element

Emphasizes the sensing aspect of a transducer, appropriate when the device primarily detects a physical quantity.

input/output device

Generalizes the function as an interface, less specific than "transducer".

converter

A shorter, more general way to describe an element changing from one form to another.

actuator

If the device's main function is to activate something based on a signal then it can act as a good alternative.

machine element

If it is a component of a greater machine, this can be a good alternative, while being less specific.

FAQs

How is a "transducer" used in medical imaging?

In medical imaging, a "transducer" emits ultrasound waves and receives the reflected waves, converting them into electrical signals that a computer processes to create an image.

What's the difference between a "transducer" and a sensor?

A sensor detects a physical quantity, while a "transducer" converts energy from one form to another. Some devices can be both, but the key difference lies in the energy conversion aspect of a transducer.

What can I say instead of "transducer"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "energy converter", "signal converter", or "sensing element".

Which is correct, "transducer" or "sensor" in a context where energy conversion occurs?

While a sensor detects, a "transducer" specifically converts energy. If energy conversion is involved, "transducer" is the more precise term.