A self-powered wireless sensor with straightforward architecture based on a dynamic dipole antenna

The widespread deployment of wireless sensors remains limited by their finite battery life, prompting research into self-powered systems. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) represent a promising energy harvesting solution, capable of converting widely distributed mechanical energy in the environment into electricity. However, their high-voltage output requires inefficient power management circuits to power conventional electronic devices. While approaches like strongly coupled magnetic resonance (SCMR) enable wireless transmission, they rely on external LC resonant components (including discrete capacitors and transmitting coils), which restrict transmission distance and direction and increase system complexity. Here, we present a self-powered triboelectric wireless sensor based on a dynamic dipole antenna (DDA). The key innovation lies in its novel signal transmission mechanism: the TENG, in series with a mechanical switch, directly forms an LC oscillation circuit by leveraging the inherent parasitic capacitance and inductance of the setup itself. This oscillation drives the DDA to emit electromagnetic waves, eliminating the need for both a power management circuit and the external LC components used in SCMR, substantially simplifying the system architecture. Experimental results indicate a fourfold increase in transmission distance to 7.2 m compared to SCMR, along with omnidirectional propagation capability. The system's practicality is successfully validated through the wireless control of a robotic arm.