Infrared imaging technology is a technology that transforms infrared radiation image into visual image by using the difference of infrared thermal radiation of each part of the object itself. Infrared thermal imaging technology is widely used in scientific research. Thermal imaging technology is becoming more and more popular in university classrooms and laboratories. In the teaching environment, the instructors use thermal imaging technology to help students understand heat transfer and thermodynamics theory, and deepen their understanding of important concepts.

What are the applications of infrared thermography to scientific research?

Materials research: organic materials, inorganic materials, composite materials, 3D printing materials, nanomaterials, elastic materials, etc.

Machinery and power: new energy power system, braking system, hydraulic system, traction system, transmission system, heating system, precision machining, etc.

Electronics and electrical: microelectronics, chips, electronic components, strong current equipment, etc.

Civil engineering: leakage of infrastructure facilities such as Bridges, tunnels, DAMS and buildings, empty drums, gap problems, geological exploration, etc.

Chemistry and chemical engineering: chemical reaction process monitoring, reaction equipment monitoring, product performance testing, etc.

Animal and plant: drug and efficacy test, new variety breeding, animal habits, growth environment, laser hair removal, microbe, medical research, plant pest and disease detection, etc.

Other scientific research: archaeology and cultural relic protection, space experiment, aerodynamics, laser and optical fiber research, explosion research, collision test, volcano research, greenhouse effect, sandstorm, mining, earthquake, etc. ​

Examples of the application of infrared thermal imaging technology in animal and plant scientific research:

Birds and mammals are natural heaters, just like the human body (with a few exceptions). Changes in the body, such as injuries and lesions, often lead to changes in body temperature. For a long time, the research on animal lesions has been limited to the naked eye evaluation and manual measurement methods and the analysis of in vivo components, which are not accurate and efficient enough to understand and diagnose the symptoms of late onset. The use of infrared imaging technology can be used to predict the results of our research early and save research time. Belgium, for example, has used a microprocessor-based infrared monitoring system to identify sows in estrus. The system has been tested in the breeding farm, and the accuracy of the infrared monitoring system in identifying sows in normal estrus has reached more than 80%, and can effectively reduce the days of non-production breeding and labor cost. In addition, infrared thermal imaging technology can also be used for embryo incubation, as shown in the picture of egg incubation.

Egg hatching image taken by infrared thermal camera

The inherent fixity of plants determines that plants tend to adapt to the changing environmental stimuli by regulating the signal network in their bodies, which will be highlighted in the stomatal behavior on the surface of plant leaves. There are many stomata distributed in the upper and lower epidermis of plant leaves, whose opening and closing can regulate the evaporation of water on the leaf surface. The loss of water takes heat away from the leaf surface and shows up at the temperature. The stomatal behavior of plants can be detected by high-resolution infrared imager, which enables us to find the physiological response of plants as early as possible, especially the early response under stress. Infrared thermal imaging technology is of great help to plant research.