Bulk metallic glass load cell

A truck assembly for a railcar, the truck assembly comprising:

• a center plate and a center pin for supporting a railcar structure;
• a load cell disposed on the center plate, the load cell comprising:
• a base plate comprising at least one recessed opening;
• a bulk metallic glass plug disposed in the at least one recessed opening of the base plate;
• a top plate positioned above the base plate, wherein a portion of the top plate is supported by the bulk metallic glass plug;
• a micro strain sensor coupled to the bulk metallic glass plug, wherein the micro strain sensor comprises a sensor that determines a change in micro strain on the bulk metallic glass plug caused by compression of the bulk metallic glass by the object;
• and
• wherein the bulk metallic glass plug extends to a height where the top plate does not contact the base plate.

A vehicle comprising:

• a container for transporting bulk material;
• an underframe coupled to and supporting the container;
• and
• one or more load cells disposed between the container and the underframe, wherein each load cell of the one or more load cells comprises:
• a base plate comprising at least one bulk metallic glass plug;
• a top plate positioned above the base plate, wherein a portion of the top plate is supported by the at least one bulk metallic glass plug;
• a micro strain sensor coupled to the at least one bulk metallic glass plug, wherein the micro strain sensor comprises a sensor that determines a change in micro strain on the at least one bulk metallic glass plug caused by compression of the bulk metallic glass by the object;
• and
• wherein the at least one bulk metallic glass plug extends to a height where the top plate does not contact the base plate.