Experts from the famous German Fraunhofer Institute have created Smart Screw Connection bolts with built-in “smart” electronics with Internet connection. Sensors in the bolt head constantly monitor the sealing in the area in contact with the surface of the structure and report the pressure force via a wireless channel. If the bolts are loose, an alarm will sound, which can prevent accidents and simplify inspection of objects.

At the heart of the smart bolt is a coating of thin piezoresistive DiaForce film. When the screw is tightened, this film records the tension at three different points. Then, if the magnitude of the force changes due to the weakening of the bolt at any of these points, the electrical resistance of the film also changes and this is an indicator of tension.

Power to the sensors and electronics of the bolts is provided by a thermoelectric generator that generates heat due to the temperature difference between the bolt (structure) and the surrounding air, or by on-board photo sensors if the bolts are on the sunny side. . The bolt spacing of the built-in bolt radio is relatively short, and there will always be a base station nearby to connect to the internet.

Smart Screw Mount bolts allow you to remotely test bolted structures (bridges, wind farms, structural members and more). They will significantly reduce the time to check the status of facilities and will be able to warn of impending emergencies. Source