Embodiments of the present disclosure integrate magnetoelectric nanowire arrays within antenna assemblies to form ultra-compact antennas. An exemplary nanowire antenna array device comprises a first electrode positioned across a second electrode, wherein an electrode gap separates the first electrode and the second electrode; and a magnetoelectric nanowire connected to the first electrode and the second electrode across the electrode gap without substrate clamping, wherein the nanowire antenna array device receives or transmits electromagnetic waves through the magnetoelectric effect.