Abstract: Supercapacitor/ultracapacitor technology is applied to hand-held remote-control devices, thereby providing a unit that does not require batteries. In terms of hardware, a device according to the invention includes a hand-held enclosure having a plurality of operator controls supported thereon, a wireless control signal generator, and electronic circuitry interconnecting the operator controls to wireless control signal generator. The circuitry causes the generator to transmit a wireless signal in response to the operator controls so as to affect the operation of the appliance. The device further includes a source of electrical energy to power the circuitry, the source of electrical energy including a supercapacitor or ultracapacitor, and an input to receive externally applied energy to recharge the supercapacitor or ultracapacitor. The input to receive externally applied energy converts mechanical or electrical energy into direct current (DC).