You're reading: 6 Weird and Wonderful Uses of Thermal Imaging Cameras

Thermal imaging cameras see what is invisible to the human eye. They pick up on heat signatures of objects and living creatures, gases, liquids and weather phenomena.

Thermal cameras remove the invisible cloak on everything around us!

Thermal imaging cameras are unique in their ability to convert the invisible into visible. The human eye is limited in what it can see on the electromagnetic spectrum. We can only see visible light, but thermal imaging cameras can see a wider spectrum of light known as infrared. Within this range, heat signatures are translated into colours which we can interpret with the human eye. Every object or creature has a heat signature. The image produced by this heat signature is known as a thermogram. Thermography is the study of thermograms. We can further evaluate these images using thermal imaging cameras and attendant software. Once we can see a colour spectrum of temperatures, the invisible world becomes visible.
What can we see with Thermal Imaging Cameras?
1. Firefighters use thermal imaging cameras to detect heat sources, fires, gas leaks, electrical faults, living creatures inside burning buildings or houses and so forth. The applications for the firefighting teams around the world are limitless. Whenever a fire is raging, billowing plumes of noxious smoke quickly fill up the surrounding area. Firefighters need to be able to identify human and animal life trapped within these burning structures. Thermal imaging cameras do the trick.
2. Law enforcement can use thermal imaging cameras to identify criminals and fugitives from justice. Thermal imaging cameras can see in the dark, in adverse weather conditions, or as part of overall surveillance with helicopters. There are multiple applications for thermal imaging cameras in law enforcement and police work.
3. Personal use of thermal imaging cameras is the #1 reason these high-tech devices are in such high demand. Thermal imaging cameras are used in home security and surveillance, for detecting leaks in the air-conditioning system, gas leaks, electrical faults, and other DIY operations.
4. Thermal imaging cameras are also used for medical reasons. For example, thermography can detect infection in humans and animals, fevers, and the like. This is a great supplement to traditional health care work.
5. Protection and preservation of wildlife is also possible with thermal imaging devices. Recently a Liverpool University astrophysicist named John Moores announced the use of drones and thermal imaging cameras to help in rhino conservation initiatives. Thermal cameras have been used in astrophysics for many years, and it is the best possible way of detecting the composition of heavenly bodies, galaxies, stars and possible planets. Recall that light is indicative of a heat signature, and temperature variations can be analyzed for data composition.
6. Outdoor hikes and adventures are a lot more fun with thermal imaging cameras. For starters, these cameras can detect hidden dangers such as waterfalls, mudslides, electrical cables, predators, fires and other hazards. The top thermal cameras such as Sii ATare ideal for outdoor security and observation work, and they run 24/7.