A biomimetic infrared sensor has been fabricated that takes advantage of the unique thermosensing properties of the TlpA protein of Salmonella. By integrating this protein into a matrix of poly(vinyl alcohol) doped with conductive carbon black and plasticizer, a simple and reliable thermally sensitive array can be fabricated (see Figure). This array can track the heat from a flashlight over 6 m away or distinguish between three independent heat sources.