of the light emitted by the dye and uses methods similar to those used in transient ir measurement of thermal diffusively to measure the permeability of the coating the application of the dye penetrant or other fluids in a leak test configurations is implemented to obtain quantitative measurement of the permeability as well as a visual image of the through thickness defects that affect the permeability such as cracks porosity and voids the implementation of fluorescent dye in a leak test provides visual images of the ceramic coating defects which provides details about the size shape and location of the factors affecting the coating permeability and acts as a mean to distinguish between them further exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods extract features from the dye emitted light intensity profile to measure the permeability of selected regions in the coating therefore the systems and methods can quantitatively measure permeability of fuel cell 39 s ceramic coatings due to porosity with options to measure in specific region only and separate that from other factors contributing to permeability such as cracks and voids in the coating a visual image of the coating the fluorescent dye leaking through the fuel cell to the coating surface can be obtained making it possible to distinguish between the various defects as well as provides a quantitative measure of the permeability.