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New Technologies in Thermal Imaging

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Modern thermal imaging are created using innovative technologies. Thus, miniature and portable devices are obtained, indispensable for hunting, fishing or military affairs.

The economic efficiency of the proposed equipment is achieved through mass production and simplification of functionality. Therefore, there are low prices of the final product in recent years. There are a wide range of applications on thermal imagers in almost any field:

  • construction;
  • industry; 
  • security;
  • the medicine. 

According to researchers, the largest number of prerequisites for active development is in the segment of ensuring the security of strategically important facilities (airports, railway stations, government knowledge, military facilities).

How a thermal imager works?

A thermal imager is a device for collecting and analyzing temperature data in an area of ​​interest. Such a concept can be called a surveillance camera that converts temperature data into a color image that is understandable to the human eye.

The implementation of devices based on bolometric matrices is considered to be the most promising. Scientists  trying to develop and supplement such technology now. 

Advantages of thermal imagers

Advantages of security video surveillance based on thermal imagers:

  1. Possibility of video surveillance under any lighting conditions. Thermal imagers help to monitor the object in complete darkness and in too bright light.
  2. High noise immunity. Thermal imagers provide clear observation during rain, snow, fog, smoke.

Also, there are a large detection range. Thermal imagers, depending on the sensitivity and viewing angle, help to detect objects at a distance of up to several kilometers.

Choosing a thermal imager

The main parameters when you’re choosing a thermal imager are:

  • matrix resolution (determines the quality of the resulting image);
  • viewing angle (determines the size of the image and the range of video surveillance);
  • software (the manufacturer offers software bundled with the thermal imager that facilitates the solution of typical tasks);
  • temperature sensitivity NETD (shows the minimum change in temperature that the thermal imager can detect);
  • range of measured temperatures.

Also look out for the latest additions to functionality. These can be interesting features that will allow you to expand the range of possibilities. 

Innovative Night Vision Device

In Australia, scientists at Australian National University have recently created innovative night vision technology. Modern devices, in their opinion, are rather inconvenient to use. They require special means for attaching to the head or expensive helmets. Thanks to Australian researchers, soon people will not need such devices.

ANU scientists have developed a completely new night vision technology. It looks like a very thin membrane. It will need to be applied to regular glasses. The membrane will act as a filter. With its help, it will be possible to see objects in complete darkness.

The membrane was made on the basis of nanocrystalline technologies. Scientists have been working on it for several years. There are tiny particles that are hundreds of times thinner than a human hair. They convert infrared radiation into photons.

Such a membrane will not need a power source. For its full operation, you only need an infrared light emitter. It is very easy to integrate it into ordinary glasses.

By the way, this technology is cheap. It can be quickly and easily put into mass production. The membrane will be quite accessible to ordinary people. 

Of course, the military is likely to be the first to use the innovation. It will replace unwieldy night vision devices.

But now there is no such membrane on sale, and when it will appear is unknown.