Thermal Imagers are infrared imaging devices that are much like a camera. The map is an electronic one and it can be captured by a computer and manipulated in numerous ways. Older camera models required cooling of the detector with liquid nitrogen or other means to provide the sensitivity needed to gain nearly TV quality, time varying images at 30 frames per second. Because of improved detectors and electronics, thermal imagers are becoming more capable and more reasonably priced.
Lower cost means more widespread use.
Indeed, low cost models are being adapted for use as fire and rescue organization tools to enable detection of people and hot objects in smokey fires and to locate people or hot spots behind walls. The use of thermal imaging cameras as relative temperature sensors is widespread in industry where many preventive maintenance uses and fault location uses have been developed over the past 25 years. The newer equipment helps broaden the scope and applicability of these devices. Some manufacturing and utility organizations have adopted these methods throughout their operations and realized enormous cost avoidance and savings returns. The American Association for Non-destructive Testing has recognised that there are special skills needed to correctly use and interpret Thermal Imaging cameras in these applications.