Thermal imaging has proven itself to be an indispensable analysis method in the R&D community – its application possibilities are seemingly endless.
Typical Applications
Research & Development
Printed circuit boards
Understanding heat dissipation within a circuit board is extremely difficult, but thermal imaging makes this possible without compromising performance.
High-speed/stop motion
FLIR is at the cutting edge of high-speed camera technology. Its pioneering applications of high-speed thermography include analysis of jet engine turbine blades, supersonic projectiles and explosions.
Thermal signatures
Commonly used in the design of vehicles, sensors and camouflage systems, thermal signatures measure infrared brightness and can reveal the appearance of a given object.
Tracking
Thermal imaging camera systems can be used to work alongside video tracking systems to help maintain visibility and track a specific object when working in low light conditions.
Directed energy
Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) include laser, high power radio frequency and particle beam technologies. Thermal imaging cameras are used in the testing of DEW instrumentation and the analysis of target impacts.
Thermal imaging microscopy
When a thermal imaging camera is combined with a microscope, it becomes a thermal imaging microscope. Using this technology, temperature measurements can be taken from subjects as small as 3microns.
Medical thermography
FLIR cameras are widely used in medicine diagnostics and treatment. They provide an accurate, measurable, non-contact technique which can capture changes in surface temperatures.
Laser designation
Laser designators emit a beam of laser energy which is used to mark a specific place or object. Thermal imaging cameras can detect these otherwise invisible laser beams and are used for identifying locations and targets.
Infrared Non-Destructive Testing (IR NDT)
IR NDT can identify internal issues by studying thermal differences on a target surface. It’s a valuable tool for detecting voids, delaminations and trapped water in composite materials.
Technical surveillance and countermeasures
Thermal imaging is used to identify heat signatures from covert surveillance devices. Even devices hidden within objects can be revealed by the minute energy given off in the form of IR energy.
Short Wave Infrared (SWIR)
This is used in the non-destructive quantitative analysis of crops, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products. It’s also used to examine art forgeries.
High Speed Thermography Combines Dynamic Spatial 3D and Thermal Data Researchers at the Fraunhofer IOF in Jena have developed a camera system for the three-dimensional detection of objects with two...
Saving Beehives With FLIR Thermal Cameras Beekeepers are increasingly turning to thermal imaging to help them care for their bees, especially during winter. Master beekeeper Rusty Burlew, who writes and...
What is a Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC)? If you’re wondering why your thermal image sometimes freezes and the camera makes a clicking noise, there’s no need to be alarmed, it’s performing...
High-Resolution FLIR Camera Brings Science to the Racing Track Engine pre-heating systems are becoming an ever more valuable asset and even a competitive advantage on today's car racing tracks. Many...
Validating Thermal Protection Before a Space-Shot Launch Neil Tewksbury and his team at the University of Southern California Rocket Propulsion Lab want to blast a rocket into space. As part...
FLIR T500-Series Macro Mode: Single-Lens Solution for Imaging Small Targets Thermal cameras are used throughout many stages of R&D and quality assurance. Electronics inspection is one of the most common...
