Heat sensitive ion channels for thermal imaging?

[ChromeBit]

To the best of my knowledge, thermal imaging (with a thermograph as the end results) is performed using arrays of thermopiles. This can become hugely expensive and is the reason fire services sometimes have trouble affording thermal imaging cameras.

Snakes have heat sensitive ion channels that work with their brain to allow them to "see" infrared light overlayed with vision from their eyes. Would it be possible to produce heat sensitive ion channels, and design systems to produce images from them? Would it be cheaper?

 

[jim mcnamara]

https://apps.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA433188
Discussion about heat sensing proteins derived from pit vipers model.

 

[BillTre]

There are microscopes that view IR wavelengths in a variety of manners.
These scopes have special optical elements (like lenses) made to work well with IR wavelengths.

I am familiar with fluorescent labels that are excited and emit in the IR range of the spectrum.
Using IR for fluorescent imaging in biology has the advantage of the light better penetration through the tissue, allowing a deeper clearer view of the fluorescently labeled structures.