4. Near infrared imaging, a technique for the future

Near infrared imaging (PIR imaging) is the fruit of the most recent technological developments, and enables the simultaneous acquisition of spectral information from a set of points. The basis of PIR imaging is the integration of a sample's spatial and spectral information into a single analysis. Initially developed for applications in astronomy and remote sensing, this technique is gradually finding its way into analytical laboratories and industry. Current agricultural applications include remote sensing (satellite or airborne) for crop monitoring, macroscopic imaging for quality control (detection of external and internal defects) of agri-food products such as fruit, grain and chicken, and microscopic imaging for obtaining chemical information at several points on a given sample. PIR imaging is an interdisciplinary approach that draws on many fields, including chemistry, physics and engineering....