Smartphone Visualization of Thermal Phenomena with Thermal Imaging Accessories

Abstract

Smartphone thermal cameras can be used to observe heat transfer or thermal patterns in crystallization, evaporation, mixing of liquids, and chemical reactions. The experiments described in this paper demonstrate that IR imaging can provide students with rich learning and exploring opportunities that would otherwise be infeasible or too time-consuming. The precision and sensitivity of smartphone thermal cameras are sufficient for use in chemistry education. A smartphone thermal imaging accessory is worth introducing into the teaching laboratory.

Exploring the Maker Culture in Chemistry: Making an Affordable Thermal Imaging System for Reaction Visualization

“…To illustrate its applicability in a laboratory setting, a popular undergraduate experiment was chosen: the rapid crystallization of a saturated solution of sodium acetate . This is a standard experiment used to demonstrate the heat of crystallization in many undergraduate laboratories. , In this case, heat is rapidly released due to the formation of the crystal lattice. The experimental setup is shown in Figure .…”

“…While the quality of the image is low compared to a commercially available thermal imaging camera, − the educational value rivals that of the commercial ones. Due to the low resolution of the thermal infrared sensor, which consists of only 64 pixels, it can only image the general heat profile of simple objects with defined shapes, making the glass beaker an ideal candidate.…”

“…Since most undergraduate thermodynamic experiments involve measuring changes in temperature, the ability to visualize this process can bring a new element to the topic of thermodynamics, allowing for the better engagement of students . Recently, the incorporation of thermal imaging cameras into the chemistry laboratory has allowed students to better understand the concepts of exothermic and endothermic reactions. − In fact, most visual learners will benefit from this approach, advocating for its importance in the undergraduate laboratory setting. However, most commercially available thermal imaging cameras are expensive, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, often an inaccessible amount for many undergraduate laboratories. − Therefore, in bridging this affordability gap, we present in this technology report an open-source thermal imaging system that can be assembled for under $100 USD.…”

“…Recently, the incorporation of thermal imaging cameras into the chemistry laboratory has allowed students to better understand the concepts of exothermic and endothermic reactions. − In fact, most visual learners will benefit from this approach, advocating for its importance in the undergraduate laboratory setting. However, most commercially available thermal imaging cameras are expensive, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, often an inaccessible amount for many undergraduate laboratories. − Therefore, in bridging this affordability gap, we present in this technology report an open-source thermal imaging system that can be assembled for under $100 USD. This camera is based on Arduino microcontroller architecture, a popular open-source microcontroller in the Maker community.…”

Application Research of Mobile Phone Thermal Imaging Technology in Chemical Laboratory

“…在自然界中，物体温度高于绝对零度就会辐射电磁波，热成像技术能通过采集物体发出的红外 电磁波信号并经处理系统将辐射能量的变化转化为便于肉眼识别直观的温度彩色图谱。热成像技术 具有温度测量范围广、探测准确度高、响应时间短、不会破坏被测温度场等特点 [1] ，在民航、电力、 石化、森林防火、医疗等领域应用广泛 [2,3] 。2020年新冠疫情防控中，红外体温检测仪在车站、口岸、 码头、机场等公众场所对人体体温疑似患者甄别具有重要作用，是打赢疫情防控战的重要装备，解 决了传统测温需要人员近距离接触的问题，实现非接触式快速、精准测温，减少交叉感染的风险。 化学反应都伴随着能量的变化，这种变化会引起对外辐射电磁波的变化，热成像技术能捕捉这 种变化并通过数据处理系统转化为对应的温度。2017年美丽科学团队使用高分辨率红外热成像仪拍 摄了"放热反应"氢氧化钠溶解、浓硫酸稀释等系列视频并发布在网上供人们观看和下载 [4] 。在传 统的化学实验中，实验者通常使用水银温度计或皮肤的触觉来感知温度的变化，普通水银温度计只 能在某特定位置测定该位置的温度，具有延时、灵敏度低等缺陷，获得一个温度需要等待几秒甚至 几分钟。 近年来出现了操作简单、便捷的手机红外成像产品，国内外化学教育教学领域报道了一些在教 学实验中的应用 [5][6][7][8][9] ，使用效果好于普通测温工具。段辉等 [10] 采用手机热成像插件巡查实验室，能消 除潜在的安全隐患；陈梦麟等 [11]…”