Life is all about Thermoregulation

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could see warmth? Well, you can! An infrared- or thermalcamera can turn surfacetemperatures into nice colours and helps you learn to understand the importance of thermoregulation.

thermographic image of a polar bear

Thermoregulation, the process by which the body maintains its core temperature within a narrow range, is a key component of our survival. We use a variety of strategies to regulate our temperature, from shivering and sweating to seeking shelter or changing our clothing. These strategies are not only important for our physical comfort, but also for our energy use.

In fact, a significant amount of the energy we use is related to our thermoregulation strategies. For example, heating and cooling our homes and offices accounts for a significant portion of our energy consumption. Choosing to wear warmer clothes in colder temperatures, or lighter clothes in warmer temperatures, reduces our energy use.

It is important to note that while some thermoregulation strategies require energy, others are more passive and rely on the body’s natural mechanisms. For example, the body’s ability to shiver or sweat is a natural response that does not require additional energy, while turning up the heat or air conditioning in a building does.

By understanding the different thermoregulation strategies available to us, and making conscious choices about how we regulate our own temperature, we can not only increase our physical comfort but also reduce our energy consumption and impact on the environment.

Coldblooded snake strangles warmblooded mouse, can you find the image?

Most animals look very good in infrared. Sometimes the warmth comes from an outside source like a lamp or the sun, sometimes the warmth comes from the inside of the body, can you tell the difference?


Gallery with images of vintage dutch buildings, other galleries can be found on the pages: expositions and graphics.

Infrared Technology

Infrared (IR) imaging is a technology that allows us to see and measure the heat emitted by objects in the form of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum. This technology has a wide range of applications, from industrial processes to medical diagnostics.

Infrared imaging works by detecting and measuring the infrared radiation emitted by objects. Every object emits some level of radiation, depending on its temperature. The hotter the object, the more radiation it emits. Infrared cameras use a special lens to focus the infrared radiation onto a detector array, which then converts the radiation into an electrical signal. The signal is then processed to create an image that shows the temperature distribution of the object being viewed.

The technology behind infrared imaging has advanced significantly over the past few decades. Early IR cameras were large, expensive, and had limited resolution. However, modern IR cameras are small, lightweight, and can produce high-resolution images.

Infrared imaging has a wide range of applications, including in industrial processes, medical diagnostics, and military and law enforcement operations. In industry, IR cameras are used to detect hot spots in machinery and electrical systems, allowing for early detection of potential problems. In medicine, IR imaging is used to diagnose conditions such as breast cancer, as well as to monitor body temperature and blood flow. In military and law enforcement operations, IR imaging is used for surveillance and target acquisition. The technology used to make infrared images is a fascinating and versatile technology that has many important applications. As the technology continues to advance, it will undoubtedly find even more uses in a wide range of industries and fields.



Infrareds can be used in zoo’s to explain about thermoregulation, expositions >>

Infrared image of a motorbike, just parked, with hot engine, more hot engines >>

Colorpallets

The colourpallets “Rainbow” and “Arctic” are nice. Which pallet to choose? Depends a little on the topic and story. My favorite colourpallet is “Iron“, which goes from black and purple for cold areas to yellow and white for the hottest areas.

Infrareds can be used in clips to explaining biology like this one by NHM.

Sources of warmth for personal thermal comfort, radiators filling up >>

GLOW Einhoven 2021, all kinds of creapy stuff floating around in the air, also visable in infrared :-).

Hot Engines

Maserati in infrared, video of old engines in infrared >>

Wim Hof

video’s of Wim Hof, the Iceman >>


Set of graphics of various thermoregulating strategies >>
Thermographic image of an elephant, just pooped :-).

Book about social thermoregulation >>

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About

World of Warmth started around 2005, with a concept to visualise the use of energy related to food. Not only production of food, but also transport, conservation and consumption. Infrared seemed to be the ideal medium for this purpose, as it visualises surfacetemperature it’s a great technology to show energy used for heating and coolling, read more >>



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