Heat-seeking vision

Recent advances in infrared thermography systems used by the police and armed forces have opened up a wide range of condition-monitoring capabilities in the commercial sector.

From detecting swine flu to diagnosing problems with electronics, the technology has become an indispensable tool for monitoring and diagnosing problems in an ever-increasing range of industries. Conservative estimates indicate an average saving of £7 derived from every £1 invested in the technology, and the latest range of cameras is set to increase this figure.

Currently, most infrared thermography systems can provide image temperatures from -20°C to +500°C, with accuracies of around ±2% at 30°C. They work by recording the infrared radiation emitted by objects, which increases with the temperature.

In defence, the cameras are used to detect human-sized targets at a distance of about 20km or during coastal surveillance tasks for the detection of vessels. However, a growing need to improve their accuracy and range is driving the next generation of condition-monitoring systems.