Self-Powered Wireless Sensing System Based on Triboelectric-Discharge Effect

An integrated self-powered wireless sensing system combining power management, sensing, modulation, and wireless transmission based on triboelectric-discharge effect is proposed. The system incorporates a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), a sensitive module, and a movable breakdown discharger (MBD). The high voltage of the TENG triggers the breakdown discharge at the MBD to emit wireless electromagnetic (EM) wave signals. Theoretical models of the wireless sensing system based on triboelectric-discharge effect are established to analyze the wireless sensing mechanism. Frequency modulation of wireless signals is investigated by connecting different inductances and capacitances via simulations and experiments. The experimental results match well with the theoretical results with a Max. Error of 7.6%. The fabricated wireless humidity sensor as an example realizes the humidity sensing by capacitance variation of humidity-sensitive module affecting the base frequency of the wireless signal, exhibiting a long effective transmission distance (up to 100 cm) and excellent stability. This work provides an innovative design reference for self-powered wireless sensor.