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.

Uses

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

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.

Thermogram

The images, or pictures, taken are called thermograms. These show heat variations on the surface of items in the image.

Colors

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

Thermography is used and researched by NASA to aid in discovering planet conditions and possible life on Mars.

References

• Energy Savers: Thermographic Inspections
• RST: Government Thermal Remote Sensing
• Clinical Trials: Normal Values of Facial Thermography

Resources

• Time: Science: Thermography: Coloring with Heat
• NASA Experimental Research

Photo Credit

Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Kevin Dooley