IRFer

IRFer is a term used in online and hobbyist communities to refer to individuals who focus on infrared (IR) technology. The word combines the abbreviation IR with a suffix often used to denote practitioners. There is no formal organization or universal definition for an IRFer; meanings and emphases vary by context and community.

In practice, IRFers engage with a range of IR-related topics. Common areas include infrared sensing and imaging (such as thermography and camera modules), infrared communication (transmitters, receivers, and remote-control protocols), and infrared spectroscopy. Hobbyists and makers may share component recommendations (IR LEDs, photodiodes, IR cameras, evaluation boards), build demonstrations, or publish tutorials that explain concepts like emissivity, calibration, and resolution limits. Discussions frequently address safety considerations and practical limitations of IR methods, including data interpretation and the influence of material properties on IR measurements.

In contrast, formal academic and industrial contexts typically classify infrared topics under thermography, spectroscopy, or remote sensing rather than under the umbrella term IRFer. As a label, IRFer tends to appear most prominently in informal posts, discussions, and user-generated content where enthusiasts identify themselves or others by their interest in infrared technology.

See also: Infrared thermography, Infrared spectroscopy, Infrared remote control.