Found this in the dictionary.

v., used, us•ing, us•es.

v.tr.
To put into service or apply for a purpose; employ.

I guess “uses” is correct, but if it would make it more clear, just have him use employ.

Best Regards

"Transitive" does not mean "needing an animate subject".  "Transitive" means "having a direct object".  So if you're bothered just because "use" is labeled transitive, there's no problem.

"Use" by an inanimate object doesn't bother me.  If something does something to something else (by volition or by external control) and that achieves an intended effect (by someone, not necessarily that which does the direct using), that's "use".  What other word would you use?

In your example, the sensor doesn't just contain the capacitive element and microprocessor, and then by sheer coincidence or perhaps miracle the signal is generated.  The capacitive element and the microprocessor serve a function in the generation of the signal.  "Contain" doesn't do it.

There is a view out there that things can't act, and so one isn't supposed to say your example above, or things like "the ball broke the window" or "guns kill people" (yeah, I know, people with guns kill people).  But get away from more active verbs, and the squeamishness about these constructions fades:  "That red towel stained my entire load of laundry."  Or even, "Don't eat that!  A single berry could kill you!"  

In reality, one cannot make a blanket statement like that for transitive verbs in English.  Some verbs really do need animate subjects, some don't, and some depend on context.

Hg

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I don't see how "employ" is any better than "use" in regard to animacy.

Hg

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Good comments, team.

My soul is beginning to heal...   

So how about,

"the captive element and microprocessor within the humidity sensor generate a signal ranging from 4 to 20 mA that is proportional to the relative humidity.

 

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

Hgtx,
Really it makes no difference other then personal preference.

Whatever satisfies the little voice in your head that says, "this reads funny".

Or maybe I am the only one with voices in my head....
 

No, the voices in your head talk to me too.

"uses" does it for me.  There can be no doubt about what it means, and it it doesn't grate in the way that "utilificate" or any of its ghastly relatives would.

A.

One can also use a tool, which is not necessarily replenishable unless it disappears during the work!  One can also use a good or bad laguage which I am not sure is an object!

The "humidity sensor" statement in OP's original post is perfectly clear as to what it means. Let's not complicate the things that are not. So called purists are always on top of the endangered spieces!!

"This humidity sensor uses a capacitive element and a custom microprocessor to generate a 4-20 mA signal that is proportional to relative humidity."

Try instead:
In this humidity sensor a capacitive element and a custom microprocessor are used to generate a 4-20 mA signal that is proportional to relative humidity."

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
 

JMW:  Then you provoke the ire of those who believe that passive shall not be used.

Hg

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I'd question whether the two bits of information really need to be rolled into a single sentence:  Although they're both about the same sensor, you'd probably want to know what it's made from and how you interface to it at different times and for different reasons.

Once the technology is the focus of its own sentence, you have access to lots of better ways to describe what the capacitative element and the custom microprocessor get up to.

Hg - would that be "those by whom it is believed that...."?

A.

DRWeig,

Of the options that have been proposed, I prefer the original.  The description is unambiguous and concise.

Thanks everyone for the feedback and suggestions --

You have provided me with both enlightenment and relaxation. Sometimes I let my priorities get all out of kilter -- such as obsessing over the subject of this post.  It's good to have a forum in which the feedback is honest and straightforward.  Chicken soup for the soul.

Also, Casseopiea's phrasing was a nice twist.

Good on y'all,

Goober Dave

Maybe it just takes a twisted mind.....

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

"makes use of"..."is based on"...

I don't know DRWeig, it's nice to know there's someone else out there that labors over what they & others write.  (Not that you'd know I was like that from some of my posts.)

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

Thanks KENAT,

Some folks are born with the knack to turn out snappy, accurate text -- an endangered species, I think.  The rest of us have to work hard at it.

Thanks all for the suggestions, too!

Goober Dave