The existing power supply methods of measurement while drilling systems have their own applicable conditions， so it is necessary to explore new underground power supply methods as a supplement to the existing methods or use them in conjunction with th existing power supply methods. The triboelectric nanogenerator is derived from the phenomenon of contact electrification and electrostatic induction （ie， common static electricity in life）， and has the dual functions of a generator and a sensor. Based on this， this study brings the triboelectric nanogenerators into the field of geological exploration， and proposes a new measurement while drilling method that with the function of self-powered （also called self-powered） and self-sensing base on the principle of triboelectric nanogenerator， and uses a self-powered downhole vibration sensor as an example to introduce this method in detail. Subsequent tests verified the high signal-to-noise ratio and good power generation characteristics of the sensor， and further high-temperature tests in the range of 280℃ showed that this method has obvious advantages in developing ultra-high temperature downhole sensors and ultra-high temperature downhole real-time generators. In addition， since the current research of our team in this new field is still in infancy， there are still a lot of work to be carried out in detail， so this study also gives the next key research directions and solutions in order to provide some reference for interested researchers.