Introduction to Thermography
Thermography is infrared scanning used to measure surface temperatures. It has many uses and research possibilities. Thermography can help us understand how something operates, as well as detect potential problems.
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Uses
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Thermography is used in the medical field to detect cancer and other medical problems, in the military for security and surveillance and in construction to test building insulation.
Equipment
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Still cameras and video cameras are used by energy auditors to test the effectiveness of the building's insulation . In the medical field, medical scanners can detect the varying temperatures of the skin. The military uses handheld cameras and equipment attached to planes.
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Thermogram
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The images, or pictures, taken are called thermograms. These show heat variations on the surface of items in the image.
Colors
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There are both color and black and white thermography options. On a black and white thermogram, the warmer regions are white and the cooler are black. Color is often preferred because it is easier to distinguish the temperature changes. On a color thermogram, reds and oranges indicate a warmer region; blue, black and violet indicate the cool areas; and yellow and greens are in the middle.
NASA Research
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Thermography is used and researched by NASA to aid in discovering planet conditions and possible life on Mars.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Kevin Dooley
Comments
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few weeks ago one of our Friends asked about this diagnostic tool. As you will see, it has many applications. The reason why I am so grateful to have undergone two examinations by Thermal Imaging-1982 & 1983, was it determined and showed, thereby validated my statements of my pain sites, and was a witness for me that I was speaking the truth, when all blood tests had proved negative. It showed the "waves" of inflammation eminating from my tendons down and up ALL muscles. It also has a use in detecting BREAST CANCERS TEN years before appearing on mammograms. Remember, my cancers were detected TEN years BY MAMMOGRAM before I discovered them, and I WAS NOT INFORMED. I know the growth rates of most Breast Cancers. My two invasive cancers were very slow growing. I would question why this apparatus is not available in all hospitals for these uses. Two DCIS were obviously reduced by interim endocrine therapy before I discovered them. The Research Unit which examined me disposed of their equipment stating "we have other means to test for Rheumatic and Arthritic Diseases now". My images were disposed of. I wished to show the Oncologist what my pain was on a "good day"..1983 and compare it with the excruciating pain I experienced on Tamoxifen. I have all documentation, but not the Thermal images.
