##Applications##

There are two primary types of environmental investigations that are driving the development of DIY thermal imaging tools and methods: a "heat-busters" program in East Harlem, and a near-forensic-level water quality monitoring program in the Gowanus Canal.

##Approaches##

There are three prototypes in development: 

* a RGB LED flashlight with a non-contact infrared sensor that "paints" the temperature of the surface directly on the wall for capture with a second timelapse camera.
* a thermometer for draggling through the water, taking contact measurements mapped to a RGB light, also for capture with a second timelapse camera. 
* a [scanning thermal camera](/wiki/scanning-thermal-camera) on a lego turntable (software also in development) that sweeps back and forth across a scene, recording the temperature variation to build up an image that looks like this:

<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5413696892_1870bdcbf8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="FLIR house" />