On January 30, 2024, Teledyne FLIR, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, introduced the Neutrino LC OGI camera module. Developed in the United States and exempt from ITAR restrictions, this mid-wave infrared (MWIR) imager is engineered for integration into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other devices aimed at detecting, measuring, and visualizing methane and other hydrocarbon gas emissions.

The Neutrino LC OGI is designed to meet the needs of optical gas imaging camera developers, providing a compact, lightweight, and low-power solution optimized for the challenges of aerial gas leak detection. The module utilizes the MWIR spectral band to accurately identify gases such as methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

Featuring a 640×512 VGA resolution mode, the Neutrino LC OGI allows for enhanced scene awareness with up to eight times digital zoom. Additionally, its bin mode offers sensitivity improvements to less than 20 millikelvins (mK), facilitating the generation of clearer, higher-contrast images for more precise leak identification.

According to Dan Walker, Vice President of Product Management at Teledyne FLIR, the integration of the Neutrino LC OGI into UAVs and other monitoring solutions addresses the critical environmental and regulatory challenge of mitigating harmful hydrocarbon and chemical leaks.

Equipped with Teledyne FLIR’s High Operating Temperature (HOT) FPA technology and featuring a linear micro cooler for quiet, low-vibration operation, the Neutrino LC OGI aims for maximum durability and reliability in field operations. Its size, weight, and power (SWaP) optimized design make it particularly suitable for UAVs, enabling extended operational range and flight times for comprehensive gas leak surveillance missions.