A fully autonomous, wireless dual-mode triboelectric system for broadband vibration monitoring on live 110 kV transmission lines

Real-time monitoring of aeolian vibrations is critical for the structural health of overhead transmission lines, yet achieving long-term, self-sustained sensing in high-voltage environments remains a persistent challenge. Herein, we report a fully autonomous, wireless vibration monitoring system driven by a dual-mode broadband triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), which seamlessly integrates broadband energy harvesting, multi-parameter sensing, and wireless transmission. By coupling a freestanding layered structure with mechanical switching strategies and complementary dynamic configurations, the TENG achieves instantaneous discharge (ID) and continuous discharge (CD) modes with distinct sensing functionalities. The ID mode is used for frequency sensing with a response range of 5–88 Hz and an error of < 0.5 Hz, while the CD mode enables amplitude sensing with a linear response range of 0.1–4 mm, offering a linearity R²> 0.991 and a nonlinear error of δ< 3.59%. Beyond the device level, a customized low-loss power management module is developed to boost the charging rate by 7.96 times, successfully driving Bluetooth and infrared communication modules. Significantly, the system was deployed on a live 110 kV transmission line for field testing, demonstrating stable, continuous operation under varying environmental conditions. This work bridges the gap between laboratory-scale TENG innovation and deployable, industrial-relevant high-voltage monitoring systems.