Somehow thermal imaging technology came quietly and persistently into our lives. Before we knew it, they had us in a tight grip. Practically in all life aspects- construction, medicine, agriculture, space, and military industry. What is there to say? They have settled tightly into the ordinary gadgets of our smartphones. The word "thermal imager" no longer surprises and bothers us, although not everyone fully understands what it is and how it works. How can it accurately determine the thermal load on this or that object, detect moisture and hidden dangerous cracks inside structures, "see" a hazardous gas leak or a tumor "devouring" our lives from a sufficiently large distance? What is this promising technology of today and tomorrow, and how does it work?
The concept of a thermal imager for the average person can be deciphered in a few words. It is a sophisticated technical device that uses optoelectronic elements to produce a visible image of objects emitting infrared waves. Such equipment is endowed with the ability to "see" infrared radiation from living organisms and things around us.
In everyday life, this is done in the following way. The infrared rays from an object are focused through a lens onto a receiver, where they are converted into a visual thermogram. Thanks to this, a visualized picture is obtained, shown on display with the main characteristics of the examined object - temperature scale, time, date, etc. Thanks to the appropriate software are set up electronics, and data are processed, analyzed, and stored.
We will dwell on some types of devices, which daily facilitate and often save our lives. There is a rather complicated classification of such devices. Short-wave and long-wave, matrix, scanning, mobile and stationary, measuring, and observation.
Thermal imaging cameras for early cancer detection
Almost a hundred years ago, with excellent results, a Canadian surgeon pioneered using a standard military night vision device to examine women's breasts. Using thermal imaging for early diagnosis has allowed over seventy percent of the prognosis to be exceeded over time. Understanding this is easier by getting into complicated technical and medical issues. Our body lives a constant independent life, generating much heat, which "travels" through our body thanks to the blood flows, providing heat exchange between the organs. When an organ becomes diseased, the inflammatory process begins, and the heat conductivity increases, which usually leads to a disturbance of the circulatory system. Thermography, a kind of "medical thermal imaging," is used to detect the "origin" of the disease. This makes it possible for medicine to analyze the condition of our organs and, most importantly, to see various types of cancer at their "germination" stage, even when the focus of the disease can be localized.
Life does not stand still. Improper nutrition, constant stress, the use of pesticides and herbicides, and the environment. These are all incomplete "bouquets" of problems that have accelerated cancer development in people. Today, breast cancer has already become a regular phenomenon and does not drive a patient into a complete "stupor." Is it frightening? Yes. However, there are options to cure this disease, thanks to thermal imaging. If the tumor is detected early, the patient will almost always get a positive result. And digital mammography is successfully used to see it. It is a harmless X-ray study that measures the intensity of electromagnetic radiation in the body's internal tissues. The rays passing through the breast form an image on a unique matrix displayed on the screen.
Thermal imaging cameras for gas detection
Regarding thermal imaging cameras when detecting gas leaks, skeptics recommend relatively cheap gas analyzers or pyrometers immediately. It's a good idea. But. Imagine a vast petrochemical plant with an incredible number of places with potential gas leaks. The operator, armed with a gas analyzer, must pass all of these places of possible leaks by measuring the concentration of volatile organic compounds. Let us be clear. Not all locations are accessible. There is a risk of missing something important in large areas. The same happens with pyrometers suitable for a single temperature measurement.
Important things.
Thermal imaging equipment takes that risk away and allows you to check potential leaks quickly, efficiently, and from a safe distance. These inspection cameras are equipped with long-wave infrared sensors, so-called quantum pits. And efficient gas detection chambers fitted with a unique sensor in automatic mode will find the problem without stopping production.
Thermal imaging monocular (scope) for wildlife observation
Specialists know that no sight can compare with a modern thermal imaging sight. Rain, snowfall, and fog are no problem for their effectiveness at any time of day. Among night devices, there are sights as an independent element, special attachments for ordinary day sights, and various modifications of binoculars, monoculars, and glasses.
Such sights can be mounted based on electron-optical converters of different generations using thermal imaging matrices or devices with charge coupling.
It is necessary to choose the correct sensor. Remember, though, that electro-optical transducers are "afraid" of lens flares and strong recoil of the weapon when fired. The market is changing. They have been replaced by night "digitizers" based on charge-coupled sensors. Suppose such matrixes add a display with good resolution. In that case, you can get a great image of the object under observation at night up to 500 meters, video recording with color image palettes, a weapon's collapse sensor, a stadiometer, and many other features. And with infrared illumination, you can increase the observation distance.
But only sometimes, with a sight, even an excellent quality, is it convenient to observe or chase an animal, follow a plundered animal, or use it during guarding or search and rescue work. In this case, using binoculars, monoculars, and night vision goggles is more convenient. And if binoculars and night vision goggles are popular with the military and special forces, a thermal imaging monocular is just the thing.
It's compact, easy to use, doesn't interfere with movement, and is always "handy." It's just binoculars for one eye. It is fastidious, has suitable waterproof housing with minimal power consumption, and has removable lenses and additional magnifying matrixes.
Suppose you add a reasonable price policy and the ability to use it in conjunction with night sights. In that case, you get an intelligent gadget for hunting and nature observation.
Thermal imaging cameras for your mobile device
In today's world, we can no longer imagine our daily lives without our cell phones. It contains everything about our existence, from social networking to the number of daily steps to the kilocalories we "drop."
Some smartphone manufacturers promise to install their software developments in yours, making it a full-fledged thermal imaging camera. According to them, with such a gadget, your small device, which fits in the palm of your hand, will be able to do many things that require professional equipment and the skills of specialists. You will be able to analyze and fix problems with the heating and cooling of the building, find gas, conduct non-contact temperature control, and even test the room for termites, "catch" the infrared rays and then analyze their images in the color palette. However, the developer asks not to pay attention to the high price of this gadget. This is know-how technology! A revolution! You have to pay for a breakthrough, a break from the pattern.
We agree. We are convinced that instead of a thermal imaging camera for much money, you will buy an advertised filter imitating the heat of people, animals, and objects. It's the dream of every rescuer, engineer, policeman, and almost every smartphone owner to have a complete working application on the phone with such features. But alas and ah. Buying a gadget is not a question. Just don't expect it to be a little miracle.
Nighttime driving assistance
Motorists have long been accustomed to various car equipment simplifying drivers’ lives and increasing safety. Parking sensors help warn about invisible obstacles, navigation systems, radar detectors, automatic parking, and "anti-sleep" in some cars. And thanks to the development of thermal imaging technology, a device is now available for drivers to make driving more comfortable. Yes, science has gone far in this direction. Nevertheless, driving in heavy rain, fog, and thunderstorms at night was a severe test.
In this case, we are talking about systems for night driving based on a thermal imaging camera, which, regardless of the weather conditions in total darkness, "sees" and recognizes people, animals, and everything that stands and moves more clearly and farther away than with conventional headlights. No matter what the weather conditions.
The operating system is based on capturing infrared radiation from objects and converting it into an analog video signal. Such gadgets have become invaluable, especially for public transport. The driver can see the area's relief, potholes, trees, and, most importantly, warm objects - pedestrians, cars, animals - in real-time at a great distance. They cannot be "blinded" by another light source.
For the sake of objectivity, we should note that the military, rapid response services and special forces have long used professional thermal cameras of this type. It allows it to be unnoticed by the enemy, the possibility of underground movement and detection, and, if necessary, sudden suppression of important defensive points.
Thermal imaging cameras for bicycle and pedestrian safety
In everyday life, motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and ordinary pedestrians fall into one category of road users. And for their safety, a coordinated flow of traffic, traffic lights, road lighting, and the like - the problem has been solved for many years by experts in many countries. Much has been done for this purpose. Traffic sensors control the management of traffic light signals, organize the urban traffic flows and optimize the movement of pedestrians and cyclists. Unique equipment signals and warns operators about tunnels, highways, and bridge accidents.
The perspective has broadened with the advent of thermal imaging cameras, which prevent severe accidents and damage to infrastructure by using technology to recognize dangerous situations immediately. The advantage of thermal imaging cameras is that they are not affected by low light, glare, high contrast, lousy weather, and other factors. They do not interfere at any time of day to get a clear picture of the current situation on the road.
Due to the radiated heat energy from a person, which is detected by thermal imaging cameras, it is possible to distinguish between a vehicle and a cyclist, which in mixed traffic flows makes them stand out and ultimately improves the latter's safety. Furthermore, thermal and video data analysis systems allow for real-time traffic light management, detecting the presence of vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians at intersections.
Wearable thermal imaging cameras
A non-contact thermal imager is commonly used to measure the temperature of objects that emit heat. It is based on an infrared sensor that detects and measures the temperature of thermal radiation and transmits all the information to its display or a remote device. This non-contact method is indispensable in many situations, such as identifying people with elevated temperatures in a crowd.
Developments in thermal imaging require the use of thermal imaging on the spot. We are, of course, talking about mobile handheld models. They come in all different types and applications.
In construction, an infrared camera detects various heat leaks in wall structures, windows, and floors. With its help, you can easily cope, even on a domestic level, with problems in the heat supply systems, water supply, and electrical appliances while marking the specific location and temperature of the leak. Even an infant's body temperature can be measured quickly, without causing any harm, with a compact handheld thermal imager.
Recently, compact pocket-sized thermal imaging monoculars and interesting gadgets with which you can connect, for example, an additional camera to your smartphone, are trending.
A few last tips.
If you are "ripe" to please yourself and your family with a household thermal imager, do not be lazy to carefully read the product's technical specifications, focusing primarily on the matrix, on which a lot will depend in the future. And then everything is the same as when choosing a personal computer. Memory, display, sensitivity, error rate, and everything in between. Refrain from chasing a cheap product from unknown manufacturers because good is never wrong. And the bad will never be good.