Thermal infrared cameras are designed to take photos or videos of heat (not to be confused with [near infrared cameras](/wiki/multispectral-imaging)). Some of these are tuned specifically for gases, and can be used to image #methane. ## Applications Thermal imaging can be used to document heat/AC leaks from insulation gaps on a building's facade, reveal warmer ground water inflows (either fresh or chemical-laden) or "thermal pollution" from industrial processes entering ocean-temperature waterbodies, as well as identify areas on the human body experiencing infection or stress (includes epidemiological applications). Specific models of FLIR brand cameras, known as the FLIR GasFinder (http://www.flir.com/ogi/display/?id=55671). See [GasFinder](#gas+finder) below for more. Community applications so far include both a "heat-busters" program in East Harlem and a "forensic" water quality monitoring program in the [Gowanus Canal](/place/new-york-city). ## Questions [questions:thermal-photography] *** ## DIY Approaches There are three Do-It-Yourself prototypes in development to try to do this more cheaply than the off-the-shelf options. These projects were started a few years ago and may not be active: * A **[Thermal Flashlight](/wiki/thermal-flashlight)**: a RGB LED flashlight with a non-contact infrared sensor that "paints" the temperature of the surface directly on the wall for capture with a second timelapse camera. * A [Thermal Fishing Bob](/wiki/thermal-fishing-bob): dragging a thermometer through the water, taking contact measurements mapped to a RGB light, also for capture with a second timelapse camera. * A [scanning thermal camera](/wiki/scanning-thermal-camera) on a LEGO turntable (software also in development) that sweeps back and forth across a scene, recording the temperature variation to build up an image. ## Problem Why make a DIY version? "FLIR" cameras can produce images such as the one below, and are typically used to identify heat leaks, but even low-resolution FLIR cameras can cost thousands of dollars. The goal of these DIY thermal camera projects is to make this kind of investigation (and the potential savings) cheap, easy, fun, and informative for those of us without $10k in our pockets. **** ## Activities [activities:thermal-photography] ...
| Author | Comment | Last activity | Moderation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| jeremykwan18 | "very nice information and good research. join me at rtppragmaticplay.top " | Read more » | almost 2 years ago | |||
| John_Wells | "International Register of Applied Kite Aerial Photographers: http://armadale.org.uk/groupmembers.htm Imaging must have a scientific/environmental/a..." | Read more » | over 4 years ago | |||
| John_Wells | "UPDATE Here is a link to my more recent efforts: http://www.armadale.org.uk/aerialthermography.htm I have a related Facebook page: https://www.f..." | Read more » | over 4 years ago | |||
| John_Wells | "You might find that you have to go through all your phones to find one which works. Try downloading the Flir One app. It may tell you if the phone ..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| eustatic | "I agree, and you've given me an idea to have plots-gulfcoast list to pitch in $30 each to fund one " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| John_Wells | "Rather than hire one for a limited period, it would be much better to own one (or more) cooperatively. " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| John_Wells | "Here are the phone compatibility requirements: http://www.flir.com/flirone/android/#androidCompatibility Minimum Requirements: 'At least Android V..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "I wonder if Home Depot or other big-box hardware stores rent these as they used to (and maybe still) rent lower-resolution thermal imagers -- it us..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| John_Wells | "Outflows would not be a problem, as the imager is sensitive down to a difference in temperature of 0.1°C. It will also pick up developing faults/ov..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| cfastie | "It still seems a little expensive to fly a thermal imager, but the FLIR One is US$250 and needs more or less any old smartphone. So it's not too ba..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| eustatic | "very cool, I've been curious about flying with the updated FLIR for smartphones, but haven't had the budget. Local levee authorities have been ask..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "$45 for 4 hours, $75 for 24 hours! Michael Nagle from Sprout just gave them a ring. " | Read more » | over 13 years ago | |||
| gonzoearth | "Indeed, I wonder how much? I was just looking at these "RESNET" standards that they market compliance with: http://www.resnet.us/standards " | Read more » | over 13 years ago |