5 Surprising Processes Where Temperature is Essential
Temperature is crucial to many processes that feed into our daily lives, from keeping our food safe and our rooms comfortable to maintaining our buildings and water systems.
As thermometer manufacturers, we’re still frequently surprised and intrigued to learn about the unique and niche requirements of our customers. We’ve spoken to a pilot who uses our thermometers to push the limits of his aerobatic biplanes and a beekeeper who monitors temperature to maintain his hive.
Read on to discover five of our latest discoveries into how our thermometers are used in the world around us.
Bat Caves
Therma-hygrometers are used to monitor the temperature and humidity in bat caves as part of the UK National Bat Monitoring Programme. With bat numbers declining dramatically over the last century, the programme monitors bat behaviour to learn more about the factors that are important for their survival.
Temperature and humidity are important factors in where bats choose to roost. In the summer, mother bats look for a warm roost to rear their young, usually between 30 and 40°C. In the winter, bats look for a cool roost with high humidity where they can hibernate. For most species, this is around 0 to 6°C.
Mortuaries
Mortuaries need to keep bodies at certain temperatures to slow the rate of decomposition. The temperature depends on how long the bodies need to be kept, but there are usually two types of chambers for this purpose.
The positive temperature chamber is kept at 2 to 4 °C. This slows the rate of decomposition but doesn’t prevent it. Here, bodies can be kept for up to several weeks.
The negative temperature chamber is maintained at -10 to -50 °C. This is usually at forensic institutes where the body needs to be kept for identification or investigation. At these temperatures, the body is completely frozen. Decomposition is significantly reduced, but not prevented.
Car Painting
Temperature is vital to getting the right finish when painting a car.
A high temperature can cause the paint to dry too quickly, resulting in an uneven distribution and texture. Too cold, and the paint can become thick and difficult to work with, providing an equally undesirable finish.
In addition, temperature impacts the durability of the paint. High and low temperatures can make the paint prone to chipping and peeling over time.
Auto painters may need to measure and control the air temperature, the temperature of the paint and the surface temperature of the vehicle before painting. This will ensure a smooth and even finish that lasts.
Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massages are a popular method of relieving pain and tension in muscles. The stones are usually heated in hot water. By measuring and controlling the temperature of the water, the masseuse can make sure the stones reach an optimal temperature so they are safe, comfortable and effective for massage.
Tortoise Hibernation
Some species of tortoise require hibernation, and it’s important that they are kept at the right temperature to carry this out correctly and without threatening their health. If hibernating a tortoise outside and at naturally cold temperatures isn’t possible, it can be done in the fridge.
The ideal temperature for tortoise hibernation is 4-5 °C (with a minimum and maximum of 0-10 °C). In addition, before hibernation they should be kept at 13 °C to enable all of their food to digest. Undigested food can ferment in their stomachs during hibernation and make them very ill, so this is essential.
Summary
Did these applications surprise you? Let us know if you have a unique use for a thermometer — we’d love to hear it.
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