Researchers at Flinders University have discovered a low-cost material that can be used to make lenses for thermal imaging, which can be applied in various industries, including defense, security, medicine, and space exploration. The material is a 67-poly(S-r-CPD) polymer sheet, which can protect and conceal the front of a FLIR camera. Thermal and infrared imaging are becoming increasingly important, but the materials required for them are expensive and difficult to find. This new discovery could lead to more advanced manufacturing applications for thermal imaging technology. The research was conducted by a team of scientists in chemistry and physics at Flinders University.
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Thermal imaging is a powerful technology used in various industries, including defense, security, medicine, electrical engineering, space exploration, and autonomous vehicle operation. However, the materials required for thermal and infrared imaging are expensive and becoming more challenging to find. To overcome this challenge, a multi-disciplinary team in chemistry and physics at Flinders University has discovered a new low-cost material that can be transformed into lenses for thermal imaging, pointing to new advanced manufacturing applications for this technology.
The team at Flinders University has developed a new polymer material called 67-poly(S-r-CPD), which can be made into lenses for thermal imaging. The material is low-cost, easy to manufacture, and has unique optical properties that make it suitable for thermal imaging applications. The researchers used this material to create a protective casing for a FLIR camera, which is used for thermal imaging.
The team tested the 67-poly(S-r-CPD) polymer sheet by taking visible and long-wave infrared (LWIR) images of a canine and chickens. The LWIR images were taken with a FLIR E6 thermal camera over a wavelength range of 7.5–13 µm. The results showed that the 67-poly(S-r-CPD) polymer sheet provided excellent protection for the FLIR camera while still allowing high-quality thermal imaging.
The discovery of this new low-cost material opens up new possibilities for advanced manufacturing applications of thermal imaging technology. It could be used to create lenses for various thermal imaging devices, including cameras and sensors. This could lead to the development of new and improved thermal imaging technologies that are more accessible and affordable.
The team’s research was published in Advanced Optical Materials in 2023, demonstrating the potential impact of this discovery on the field of thermal imaging. The study was peer-reviewed and conducted by a team of experts in chemistry and physics, ensuring the credibility of the findings.
This breakthrough in the development of low-cost materials for thermal imaging is an exciting development for various industries that rely on this technology. It could lead to the creation of new and improved thermal imaging devices that are more accessible and affordable. The team’s discovery highlights the importance of continued research and development in advanced manufacturing applications of technology to solve real-world problems and improve our daily lives.
