IRimage: open source software for processing images from infrared thermal cameras

Area of Science:

• Thermal imaging
• Image analysis
• Scientific instrumentation

Background:

• Affordable consumer-grade thermal cameras offer potential for research but often lack robust data processing.
• Existing thermal imaging software may not meet the demands for high throughput, accuracy, and reproducibility in scientific studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate IRimage, an open-source software tool for processing thermal images.
• To enhance the throughput, accuracy, and reproducibility of temperature measurements from consumer-grade thermal cameras.
• To facilitate the use of affordable thermal imaging in reproducible scientific research.

Main Methods:

• IRimage processes raw thermal image data using an open and documented algorithm.
• The software calculates temperature values and enables reproducible measurements across image series.
• It integrates with ImageJ, offering a graphical user interface and script-based extensibility.

Main Results:

• IRimage demonstrated consistency with standard software across 15 camera models.
• The tool successfully processed hundreds of thermal images to detect subtle differences in plant leaf temperature.
• Visual outputs (images, videos) suitable for scientific reporting are generated.

Conclusions:

• IRimage provides a reliable and accessible solution for analyzing thermal images from consumer-grade cameras.
• Its features enhance suitability for research purposes compared to many alternatives.
• The software contributes to the utilization of affordable thermal imaging for reproducible scientific investigations.