Optra Wins Grant to Develop Remote IR Thermographer

Optra Inc. of Topsfield, Mass., will supply a prototype two-band IR thermographer for the remote measurement of skin temperature under a Phase II, $600,000 Small Business Innovation Research award from the US Marine Corps. The device will incorporate a color temperature measurement technique, validated in first-phase work, based on the difference between the integrated radiance of two adjacent IR spectral channels, which are selected to minimize the impact of changing humidity levels. The project will employ a normalized difference signal that minimizes the effects of rain, fog and snow.

The instrument has application as a feedback mechanism for the Active Denial System. Commercially, the thermographer may be used by emergency response teams and for perimeter surveillance and chemical and industrial processing. The contract includes a potential $150,000 Phase II option.