Making Your Own Infrared Thermometer for Experiments

 

Making Your Own Infrared Thermometer for Experiments

Measuring temperature without touching the object might sound like magic, but with an infrared (IR) sensor, it’s simple science. At Philip M Russell Ltd, we’ve been developing a low-cost infrared thermometer for classroom experiments. This project combines electronics, coding, and physics to make thermal studies hands-on and affordable.

The Idea

Commercial IR thermometers are accurate but often too expensive for schools to buy in class sets. By using a small sensor and a microcontroller such as an Arduino, students can build their own, learn how it works, and explore the physics behind it.

How It Works

Infrared thermometers detect the infrared radiation emitted by objects. Hotter objects emit more radiation, and by measuring this, the sensor estimates temperature. The project uses:

• An MLX90614 or TMP006 infrared sensor module.

• An Arduino or other microcontroller to process the readings.

• A simple LCD or OLED display to show the temperature.

Classroom Applications

• Measure the temperature of surfaces from a distance.

• Investigate emissivity by comparing shiny and dull materials.

• Record cooling curves of hot objects without disturbing them.

• Combine with thermal cameras for extended temperature mapping.

Why Build Instead of Buy

• Cost: Components cost less than a single commercial thermometer.

• Learning: Students explore sensor calibration, electronics, and data accuracy.

• Sustainability: Reusable and repairable hardware reduces waste.

The Takeaway

Building an infrared thermometer turns a simple measuring device into a teaching tool. Students learn coding, electronics, and physics while discovering that temperature isn’t just felt — it’s detected, displayed, and understood through science.