Primarily used in electronics and engineering for a basic functional unit, such as a sensor, transistor, or circuit element.
This sensor uses a photosensitive element.
The circuit contains several semiconductor devices.
data; datum
Rare, somewhat dated use for a single piece of data; modern Japanese prefers データ or 情報. Mostly found in older technical literature.
In older documents, a single numerical value is sometimes referred to as a 素子.
This camera is equipped with a high-sensitivity element.
The element degraded after prolonged use.
We incorporated a sensor element into the new circuit.
データ is the standard modern word for a piece of data, while 素子 in this sense is a dated, rarely used technical term for a single datum.
counter for small objects; counter for pieces · counter for military units · individual; one person · counter for years of age difference; counter for school years
identity gate; identity element
optical element; optical device
driven element (antenna)
photodetector; photosensor; light receiving element
passive element; passive component
NOT gate; NOT element
circuit element
piezoelectric element; piezoelectric transducer; piezoelectric device
photosensor; light-sensitive element
Composed of 素 (element, basic) and 子 (small thing, child), suggesting a fundamental small unit. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji choice reflects the meaning of a basic component.
image sensor