Battery-free short-range self-powered wireless sensor network (SS-WSN) using TENG based direct sensory transmission (TDST) mechanism

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) bring the basis that the development of the Internet of Things (IoTs) relies on. However, external power requirement restricts the widespread applications of WSNs. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has been a promising candidate for energy harvesting and self-powered sensing, but most of the reported TENG-based WSNs need to store energy in a capacitor first and then power the wireless modules without a continuous sensing capability simultaneously. In this work, a battery-free short-range self-powered wireless sensor network (SS-WSN) is proposed by using TENG-based direct sensory transmission (TDST). By leveraging a mechanical switch or diode-switch combination, enhanced output and boosted frequency of TENG signal have been achieved by instantaneous discharging in a short period, initiating the potential for direct signal transmission without additional wireless modules and external power suppliers. Different from others' works, the stable resonant frequency is used to realize the force-sensing function with high sensitivity (434.7 Hz.N^{− 1}), in which case a wireless real-time electronic scale is demonstrated. Additionally, by varying the connections of the textile TENGs or the capacitance of an external capacitor for distinguishable resonant frequencies generation, the multiple-freedom-degree 2D toy car control, and 3D VR drone control are demonstrated with a single coil.