Infrared Survey

Infrared (IR) Surveys

Infrared (760nm-1500nm) wavelengths are more commonly known as ‘thermal energy’ where the hotter something is, the more thermal energy it emits. This emitted thermal energy is called a “heat signature’ and is viewed as an ‘emission spectrum’ where blue is cold and red is hot.

IR wavelengths are absorbed by objects during the day and emitted through the night maintaining a heat signature for 24 hours a day. When combined with UAV Night-time Operations, the heat differential is further increased enhancing the emission spectrum. Typical applications using UAV mounted Infrared Thermal Imaging Cameras include:

Land Type

Land type: rock, soil, water, identifying edges of overgrown water bodies;
Landfill hotspot: identify the potential for internal 'ground fires'; and
Vegetation cover: tree, brush cover, crops.

Liquids & Gases

Outflows: monitors outflows from sewage treatment works into rivers; and
Emission monitoring: identify active factory exhaust stacks.

Living Species

Identify people, animals, vegetation; and
Undertake day/night time deer count as part of EIA.

Structures, Buildings, Houses, Factories

Identify energy & heat loss through walls, windows and roofs;
Identify damaged or defective solar panels; and
Identify water leaks on flat roofs.

Machinery