A self-powered switching system having a flextensional transducer, said flextensional transducer comprising; first signal transmission means electrically connected to said first and second conductors; said first signal transmission means comprising a first radio frequency generator subcircuit connected to an antenna; signal reception means for receiving a first signal transmitted by said first signal transmission means; said signal reception means being adapted to generate a second signal in response to said first signal transmitted by said signal transmission means; and a switch having a first position and a second position; said switch being in communication with said signal reception means; said switch being adapted to change between said first position and said second position in response to said second signal characterized in that the flextensional transducer further comprises: a first electroactive member having opposing first and second electroded major faces; said first opposing major face being substantially convex and said second opposing major face being substantially concave; a prestress layer bonded to said second major face of said first electroactive member; said prestress layer applying a compressive force to said electroactive member; wherein said flextensional transducer is adapted to deform from a first position to a second position upon application of a force to said flextensional transducer; and wherein upon said deformation to said second position, said flextensional transducer is adapted to generate a first voltage potential between said first electroded major face and said second electroded major face; a first conductor electrically connected to said first electroded major face of said first electroactive member; a second conductor electrically connected to said second electroded major face of said first electroactive member; a voltage regulator having an input side and an output side; said input side of said voltage regulator being electrically connected to said first and second conductors; said output side of said voltage regulator being electrically connected to said signal transmission means; and a diode having an anode and a cathode connected in parallel with said flextensional transducer; said cathode of said diode being electrically connected to said first conductor and said input side of said voltage regulator; said anode of said diode being electrically connected to said second conductor and said input side of said voltage regulator; whereby said diode is connected in parallel with first and second electroded major faces of said first electroactive member. a first electroactive member having opposing first and second electroded major faces; said first opposing major face being substantially convex and said second opposing major face being substantially concave; a prestress layer bonded to said second major face of said first electroactive member; said prestress layer applying a compressive force to said electroactive member; wherein said flextensional transducer is adapted to deform from a first position to a second position upon application of a force to said flextensional transducer; and wherein upon said deformation to said second position, said flextensional transducer is adapted to generate a first voltage potential between said first electroded major face and said second electroded major face;