Poor thermal insulation in buildings causes a massive waste of energy every day. In some cases the locations of poorly insulated areas and thermal bridges are quite obvious, but in most cases they are invisible to the human eye. Thermal cameras, sensitive to the thermal energy emitted from our surroundings, are capable of visualizing the differences in temperature, thus revealing building parts which are poorly insulated.
The Thermal Torch combines the features of a thermal camera with the features of small handsized projectors. By panning over a wall or a window frame, the thermal image is projected on the surface directly at the spot of detection. The Thermal Torch is a concept for augmenting the benefits of the digital world with the physical. The Thermal Torch can be used by non-professionals to identify specific problematic thermal bridges in homes and offices, providing the first step for better insulation and a following reduction in CO2 emissions.
7 Comments
That's smart!
That's a very useful tool! I was hoping that someone who did an energy audit would use something like that. Rock on!
Good idea, but the projection distance is a concern. It may also cause consumers to stick with standard thermal imaging camera's plugged into small monitors. There is also the issue with power consumption to actively use this during work.
This is definitely the tool to help people save money and contribute a great deal with small efforts. This is how we manage all the negative cost emissions réductions... Hope it really works
@ John Q. The power this device may consume could not even begin to compare with a problem in insulation in a house that would leak (hot or cold depending on the season) 24 / 7 / 365. Great Idea.
It looks like your on the right track. here is a similar product developed by Black and Decker and Bressler Group. Check out the "See Products in Action" section on this page. http://www.blackanddecker.com/Energy/products.aspx?WT.mc_id=BD00039#
It's certainly a good idea for a green gadget. But as designers we should not forget that we are judging form and esthetics too. How can green gadgets become cool objects that people crave if they look awful.
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Speakers
GADI AMIT
Founder and principal designer of NewDealDesign.
ADAM ASTON
Energy and Environment Editor for BusinessWeek.
SAUL GRIFFITH
Co-founder of Low Cost Eyeglasses, Squid Labs, Potenco, Instructables.com, HowToons and Makani Power.
STEPHEN HARPER
Global Director of Environment and Energy Policy for the Intel Corp.
ANDY LEVENTHAL
Founder and CEO of Planet Metrics.
EMILY PILLOTON
Founder and executive director of Project H Design.
KEN ROTHER
President and COO of TreeHugger.
DANIEL SIEBERG
Science and technology correspondent for CBS News.
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February 27, 2009, 9am - 6pm
McGraw-Hill Conference Center
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