These Bolts Aren’t Dolts

Bolts are one of the most common ways to fasten two piece parts together. They typically require a torque wrench to be tightened to the required degree, often determined by an engineer. Should a bolt be too lose, a piece may move around; if it's too right, it may not move at all and could even damage a part.

In some cases, it can be difficult to gage whether a bolt is properly tightened. However, by using technology developed by the International Space Station's Material Science Laboratory, Intellifast has created a bolt that contains an ultrasonic sensor in the head that can measure the amount of stress placed on a piece when in place.

Technicians attach a meter to preform an ultrasonic scan and measure the strain on the bolt. The meter can also be attached to a torque wrench to allow the amount of strain can be tracked as it's screwed into place. These new space-inspired bolts are to be used in manufacturing of lighter and safer cars.

Source: European Space Agency