Date of Award

6-5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2026

Departments

Computer Engineering; Computer Science and Engineering

First Advisor

Christopher Kitts

Second Advisor

Michael Neumann

Third Advisor

Michael Schimpf

Abstract

This project presents the development of a three-dimensional thermal mapping system designed to identify energy inefficiencies in buildings. By integrating visible-light imaging with thermal sensing, the system generates detailed 3D models that visualize both structural features and heat distribution. Using photogrammetry techniques, overlapping images are processed to reconstruct building geometry, while thermal data is mapped onto the model to highlight areas of potential heat loss such as insulation gaps, windows, and structural joints.

The system combines hardware and software components, including a dual-camera setup and a custom visualization pipeline, to produce both qualitative and quantitative outputs. Users are able to explore reconstructed models, switch between visualization modes, and access temperature measurements directly from the data. This approach improves upon traditional thermal inspection methods by providing spatial context and more intuitive interpretation of thermal information.

Testing and validation demonstrate that the system can reliably generate accurate models and meaningful thermal insights. This system was used to successfully create a full building scan with inspection functionality that met the needs of our client, the SCU Facilities Department. Future work includes deploying the system on a drone platform to enable full-building scans, improving data consistency, and expanding analysis capabilities. The proposed solution offers a scalable and accessible tool for supporting energy efficiency efforts and sustainable building management.

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