Description:
Reference #: 00827
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for this novel method of visualizing surface inconsistencies.
Potential Applications:
Visualization of:
• Seams between boards
• Repairs to drywall
• Variations in concrete
• Repairs to vehicles
• Cracks in foundation
Advantages and Benefits:
This method provides a non-destructive, hands-off technique for the visualization of seams between boards, repairs to drywall, variations in concrete, repairs to vehicles, or cracks in foundation.
Invention Description:
Most materials absorb strongly in the fundamental IR spectral region (e.g. 3-20 µm). In regions of fundamental absorbance, the absorption in these bands is so strong that the measured reflectance contains only specular reflection, reflection that is surface-dominated. Any photons that penetrate the surface are absorbed and, therefore, not re-emitted. While there is only a small change in the spectrum, the specular reflectance changes substantially when a thin surface coating is present.
Dr. Michael Myrick and his research group have developed a method to visualize inconsistencies in a substrate material. The method coordinates a thermal infrared sensor or camera with a light source and scanning mirrors to detect changes in heat capacity, thus creating a non-destructive, hands-off technique for the visualization of seams between boards, repairs to drywall, variations in concrete, repairs to vehicles, cracks in foundation, etc.