Editing Far infrared (section)

==Applications==

===Astronomy===
{{main|Far-infrared astronomy}}
Objects within a temperature range of approximately 5&nbsp;K to 340&nbsp;K emit radiation in the far infrared range as a result of [[black-body radiation]], in accordance with [[Wien's displacement law]]. This characteristic is utilized in the observation of interstellar gases, which are frequently associated with the formation of new stars.

The brightness observed in far infrared images of the center of the [[Milky Way galaxy]] arises from the high density of stars in that region, which heats the surrounding dust and induces radiation emission in the far infrared spectrum. Excluding the center of the Milky Way galaxy, the galaxy [[Messier 82|M82]] is the most prominent far-infrared object in the sky, with its central region emitting amounts of far infrared light equivalent to the combined emissions of all the stars in the Milky Way. {{As of|2012|05|29}}, the source responsible for heating the dust at the center of M82 remains unknown.<ref name="caltech" />

===Human body detection===

Certain human proximity sensors utilize [[Passive infrared sensor|passive infrared sensing]] within the far infrared wavelength range to detect the presence of stationary<ref>{{cite web|title=Mems Thermal Sensors|url=http://www.omron.com/ecb/products/sensor/11/d6t.html|website=Omron Electronic Components Web|publisher=Omron|access-date=7 August 2015}}</ref> and/or moving human bodies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pyroelectric Detectors & Sensors for Far Infrared, FIR (5.0 μm – 15 μm)|url=http://www.excelitas.com/Pages/Product/Pyroelectric-Detectors-and-Sensors-for-Far-Infrared-FIR-50-um-15-um.aspx|publisher=Excelitas|access-date=7 August 2015}}</ref>

=== Heating ===
Infrared heating (IR) is a method of heating an area through more efficient results than gas or electric convection heating. Studies show IR heats faster, more uniformly, and more efficiently than a traditional conventional system.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Scott |first1=C. |last2=Ferdaus |first2=A.H. |last3=Kenan |first3=T. |last4=Albarbar |first4=A. |date=October 2022 |title=Cost-effective occupation dependant infrared zonal heating system for operational university buildings |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112362 |journal=Energy and Buildings |volume=272 |pages=112362 |doi=10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112362 |bibcode=2022EneBu.27212362S |issn=0378-7788}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tanaka |first1=F. |last2=Verboven |first2=P. |last3=Scheerlinck |first3=N. |last4=Morita |first4=K. |last5=Iwasaki |first5=K. |last6=Nicolaï |first6=B. |date=March 2007 |title=Investigation of far infrared radiation heating as an alternative technique for surface decontamination of strawberry |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2006.02.010 |journal=Journal of Food Engineering |volume=79 |issue=2 |pages=445–452 |doi=10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2006.02.010 |issn=0260-8774}}</ref> Increasingly, IR heating is utilised as part of scheme designs to achieve spot, zonal and smart heating within occupation zones within a building.<ref name=":0" />  Though multiple applications of long wave or FIR heating exist, a common representation comprises radiant panel heaters. Radiant panel heaters typically contain a grid of resistance wire or ribbons which are sandwiched between a thin plate of electrical insulation on an emitting die and thermal insulation on the back side.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pan |first1=Zhongli |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mArLBQAAQBAJ&dq=infrared+heating&pg=PA57 |title=Infrared Heating for Food and Agricultural Processing |last2=Atungulu |first2=Griffiths Gregory |date=2010-07-26 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-4200-9099-4 |language=en}}</ref> Owing to their size and flexibility,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Advantages of Infrared Heat Panels |url=https://www.tansun.com/gb_en/blog/advantages-of-infrared-heat-panels.html |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=www.tansun.com}}</ref> infrared panel heaters can be fitted on walls and ceilings for added-space saving benefits. Electric FIR panel heaters are shown to have up to 98.5% efficiency from supply to production of heat with satisfactory thermal comfort, thermostatic control, and with low initial investment.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Martinopoulos |first1=Georgios |last2=Papakostas |first2=Konstantinos T. |last3=Papadopoulos |first3=Agis M. |date=July 2018 |title=A comparative review of heating systems in EU countries, based on efficiency and fuel cost |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.03.060 |journal=Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews |volume=90 |pages=687–699 |doi=10.1016/j.rser.2018.03.060 |bibcode=2018RSERv..90..687M |issn=1364-0321}}</ref>

===Therapeutic modality===
{{Advert section|date=July 2019}}
Researchers have observed that among all forms of radiant heat, only far-infrared radiation transfers energy solely in the form of heat that can be sensed by the human body.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1515/plm-2012-0034| title=Far infrared radiation (FIR): Its biological effects and medical applications| year=2012| last1=Vatansever| first1=Fatma| last2=Hamblin| first2=Michael R.| journal=Photonics & Lasers in Medicine| volume=1| issue=4| pages=255–266| pmid=23833705| pmc=3699878| doi-access=free}}</ref> They have found that this type of radiant heat can penetrate the skin up to a depth of approximately {{convert|1.5|inches|cm}}. In the field of [[biomedicine]], experiments have been conducted using fabrics woven with FIR-emitting ceramics embedded in their fibers. These studies have indicated a potential delay in the onset of [[fatigue]] induced by [[muscle contraction]]s in participants.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.4077/CJP.2011.AMM044| title=A Pilot Study of Ceramic Powder Far-Infrared Ray Irradiation (CFIR) on Physiology: Observation of Cell Cultures and Amphibian Skeletal Muscle| year=2011| last1=Leung| first1=Ting-Kai| journal=The Chinese Journal of Physiology| volume=54| issue=4| pages=247–254| pmid=22129823}}</ref> The researchers have suggested that the emission of far-infrared radiation by these ceramics (referred to as cFIR) could facilitate [[DNA repair|cellular repair]].

Certain heating pads have been marketed to provide "far infrared" therapy, which is claimed to offer deeper penetration.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} However, the infrared radiation emitted by an object is determined by its temperature.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} Therefore, all heating pads emit the same type of infrared radiation if they are at the same temperature. Higher temperatures will result in greater infrared radiation, but caution must be exercised to avoid burns.