Rapid growth predicted in the infrared thermography market

A Maxtech International Inc. (Valley Forge, PA) market study on infrared imaging and spot temperature-measurement instruments reports that the US market for this technology totaled $139 million in 1994 and predicts an increase to $306 million by 1999. Driven by the development of lower-cost focal-plane-array cameras, the infrared thermography market is growing at 15% annually, while the spot IR thermometry market is increasing by 5%. In addition to the traditional IR thermography applications, new markets such as law-enforcement night vision, aircraft-landing assistance, and automobile vision enhancement have been opened up by the development of uncooled focal-plane-array technology. A trio of Technology Reinvestment Program grants totaling $47 million for development in uncooled focal-plane-array technology, as well as ongoing government assistance from the Advanced Research Projects Agency are helping spur industry growth. For further information contact Gabe Fulop of Maxtech at tel.: (610) 935-8580.