Local Community Outreach for Energy Efficiency

The University of Newcastle provides programs to educate the local community about the importance of energy efficiency and clean energy.

In 2024, through the Centre for Organic Electronics (COE), we continued to raise awareness about solar technology and clean energy solutions. COE is a global leader in the exciting emerging field of 'functional printing', which uses conventional printing technologies to manufacture clever, high performing, low-cost materials to help solve some of the world's greatest challenges.

The Centre for Organic Electronics is marrying the creation of clever electronic inks with well-established printing technologies to address global challenges spanning renewable energy, health & medicine, and mining safety.

Their core focus is on translating cutting edge research for real world impact. As such, they partner with business, industry and government to generate products, systems and services that benefit our global community.

The COE is multidisciplinary, with expertise spanning physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, health, design and communications. This depth and breadth of talent and expertise enables us to successfully manage projects from end-to-end.

Research themes include:

  • printed solar
  • biosensors & bioelectronics
  • artificial colour retina
  • scanning helium microscopy (SHeM)
  • medical physics

Not just a hub for innovative research, the COE is one of the only research facilities in the world capable of also manufacturing printed electronic devices at commercial scale.

The University of Newcastle's Centre for Organic Electronics (COE) Successfully Hosted Its 14th Annual Spring School in 2024

In 2024, this three-day event provided undergraduate students from various disciplines, including Science, Math, IT, Engineering, and Medical Sciences, with an opportunity to explore cutting-edge research in organic electronics. The program featured lectures from local and international experts, hands-on experiences in COE labs, and interactive think tank sessions aimed at inspiring students to pursue research careers. Highlights included fabricating organic solar cells, operating advanced microscopes, racing simulated EV cars, and learning about Printed Solar and its recycling. Accredited by CIFAL Newcastle and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), students received formal recognition for their participation. The event, sponsored by Spruson & Ferguson Intellectual Property and the Australian National Fabrication Facility, saw students awarded for solar cell efficiency and EV racing. Following the event’s success, many students expressed interest in continuing their research journey with the COE.

In December 2024, University-made Printed Solar powered Coldplay concerts in COE partnership.

Coldplay has made significant commitments to sustainability, continuously exploring and applying new technologies to reduce their environmental impact. This partnership was another step towards achieving their ambitious sustainability goals to reduce their tour’s carbon emissions by 50%.

An array of 500 square meters (about twice the area of a tennis court) of Printed Solar was placed behind the seats behind the stage and elsewhere in the venue to collect power in battery packs. These batteries were then used to power Coldplay’s C Stage and fulfil other ancillary power needs throughout the venue.

Printed Solar uses organic photovoltaics (OPVs) which are a next-generation solar cell technology that uses organic compounds to convert sunlight into electricity. Now producing at scale with the support of the Newcastle Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) Hub, located at the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER). Manufactured with PET plastic using roll-to-roll printing techniques and fully recycled in-house, Printed Solar is one of the lowest emission-intensive energy sources available.

Dr Ben Vaughan, Hub Manager for the ANFF, says Printed Solar has enormous potential for a variety of applications.

Members of TRaCE, NIER, COE and Kardinia Energy backstage at Accor Stadium.

Members of TRaCE, NIER, COE and Kardinia Energy backstage at Accor Stadium.

The COE team in Newcastle holding up a roll of Printed Solar designed for the Coldplay concert.

The COE team in Newcastle holding up a roll of Printed Solar designed for the Coldplay concert.

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A large group of students wearing matching dark shirts with yellow accents stand behind a table, raising their arms in celebration. They are holding a certificate and a long bridge-like structure. Behind them is a banner that reads “Science and Engineering Challenge” with logos, and the table has a green cloth with the same event branding.. Science and Engineering Challenge celebrates National Finals

News • 31 Oct 2025

Science and Engineering Challenge celebrates National Finals

More than 240 High School students from eight schools across the country will put their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills to the test today when they take part in the national finals of The University of Newcastle’s Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC).

A large group of students wearing matching dark shirts with yellow accents stand behind a table, raising their arms in celebration. They are holding a certificate and a long bridge-like structure. Behind them is a banner that reads “Science and Engineering Challenge” with logos, and the table has a green cloth with the same event branding.. Science and Engineering Challenge celebrates National Finals

News • 31 Oct 2025

Science and Engineering Challenge celebrates National Finals

More than 240 High School students from eight schools across the country will put their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills to the test today when they take part in the national finals of The University of Newcastle’s Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC).

Zachary Di Pietro in a lab smiling at the camera. Polymer science PhD student wins prestigious ATSE award

News • 30 Oct 2025

Polymer science PhD student wins prestigious ATSE award

University of Newcastle PhD student, Zachary Di Pietro, has been recognised at the prestigious Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) awards for outstanding work in polymer science.

Proposed Callaghan Campus Student Accommodation render. University proposes new student accommodation at Callaghan Campus

News • 30 Oct 2025

University proposes new student accommodation at Callaghan Campus

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Zachary Di Pietro in a lab smiling at the camera. Polymer science PhD student wins prestigious ATSE award

News • 30 Oct 2025

Polymer science PhD student wins prestigious ATSE award

University of Newcastle PhD student, Zachary Di Pietro, has been recognised at the prestigious Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) awards for outstanding work in polymer science.

Professor Tracy Burrows. Healthy recognition: Dietitian earns prestigious Australian science honour

News • 30 Oct 2025

Healthy recognition: Dietitian earns prestigious Australian science honour

In a landmark recognition of her pioneering work in nutrition science, University of Newcastle Professor Tracy Burrows has been elected a 2025 Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS)—one of the nation’s highest honours in health research.

Proposed Callaghan Campus Student Accommodation render. University proposes new student accommodation at Callaghan Campus

News • 30 Oct 2025

University proposes new student accommodation at Callaghan Campus

The University of Newcastle is continuing its investment in the Callaghan Campus, having submitted a Regionally Significant Development Application (RSDA) for the construction of a new student accommodation building.

Professor Tracy Burrows. Healthy recognition: Dietitian earns prestigious Australian science honour

News • 30 Oct 2025

Healthy recognition: Dietitian earns prestigious Australian science honour

In a landmark recognition of her pioneering work in nutrition science, University of Newcastle Professor Tracy Burrows has been elected a 2025 Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS)—one of the nation’s highest honours in health research.

researcher is pictured holding up a sample of blue liquid in the front of the frame. New animal study links Williamtown PFAS levels to male reproductive impacts

News • 29 Oct 2025

New animal study links Williamtown PFAS levels to male reproductive impacts

New research from the University of Newcastle has revealed PFAS levels matching those found in the Williamtown contamination zone could significantly alter male reproductive health in animals – even without visibly damaging sperm.

researcher is pictured holding up a sample of blue liquid in the front of the frame. New animal study links Williamtown PFAS levels to male reproductive impacts

News • 29 Oct 2025

New animal study links Williamtown PFAS levels to male reproductive impacts

New research from the University of Newcastle has revealed PFAS levels matching those found in the Williamtown contamination zone could significantly alter male reproductive health in animals – even without visibly damaging sperm.

Australian research. Nine Newcastle teams secure $5.4m in ARC Discovery grants to unearth new knowledge

News • 29 Oct 2025

Nine Newcastle teams secure $5.4m in ARC Discovery grants to unearth new knowledge

Nine University of Newcastle research teams will spearhead projects to advance Australia’s knowledge in key priority areas, supported by more than $5.4 million in Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project 2026 grants.

Associate Professor Nicole Nathan. Heart of the problem is short lifespan of disease prevention programs

News • 27 Oct 2025

Heart of the problem is short lifespan of disease prevention programs

Researchers will place Australia’s heart disease prevention programs under the microscope to determine why many fail to last beyond two years - and will develop solutions to help sustain them long-term.