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.

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

News • 10 Apr 2025

Skilled, inspired, and ready: Central Coast graduates make their mark

Nurses, teachers and oral health therapists will be among hundreds set to boost the workforce and make a difference on the Central Coast as they graduate from the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah campus on Tuesday.

News • 08 Apr 2025

Long-spined sea urchin surprisingly not on the menu for large fish

New research has uncovered a crucial clue to understand the spread of ‘barrens’ in the Great Southern Reef, which are threatening the reef ecosystem.

News • 08 Apr 2025

Professor Willis earns top Australian science award for pioneering mathematics theory

Hailed as the creator of new mathematics, the University of Newcastle’s Emeritus Professor George Willis has been awarded the coveted Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal by the Australian Academy of Science.

News • 03 Apr 2025

National study confirms healthy eating linked to longevity in women

Australian women who eat mainly in line with Australian Dietary Guidelines or a Mediterranean-style diet* are 40% more likely to live until their mid-to-late 70s than those with poorer diets, according to the country’s largest analysis of women’s long-term dietary data published today in The Journal of Nutrition.1

News • 02 Apr 2025

nib funds local research to tackle chronic disease, mental health and knee replacements

A program that uses genetically guided health information to help people better manage chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, along with two other specialist health programs at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) have attracted funding from the nib foundation.

News • 01 Apr 2025

University of Newcastle appoints contractor to build new student accommodation

Work to deliver the new University of Newcastle City Campus Student Accommodation is one step closer with the recent appointment of Hansen Yuncken to deliver the main construction work.

News • 31 Mar 2025

Beyond the Spectacle: Events as Strategic Investments in Newcastle’s Future

A great event does more than entertain – it can shape a city’s future. With Newcastle increasing its investment in events, we have an opportunity to ensure events are not just one-time spectacles, but catalysts for long-term economic, social and cultural impact.

News • 27 Mar 2025

Indigenous-led quit smoking program upscales nationally to help close the gap

An Indigenous-led intervention program tackling smoking and vaping - the leading preventable cause of chronic disease and preventable death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — will be upscaled nationally.

News • 17 Mar 2025

Global experts unite in Newcastle to decarbonise steelmaking

Newcastle will play host to world-leading researchers in sustainable steelmaking next week, as they tackle one of the world’s greatest industrial challenges – decarbonising the steel industry, which currently accounts for seven per cent of global CO2 emissions.

News • 17 Mar 2025

Newcastle prehabilitation cancer care program to expand to regional NSW

A Newcastle model of prehabilitation care for cancer patients prior to surgery, which aims to increase survival and improve quality of life, will be expanded to five rural and regional locations.

News • 07 Mar 2025

Celebrating Women in New South Wales: A Path to Equity

The Hunter has a rich history of empowering women and fostering gender equity. Women like Sue Murray, CEO of the Hunter Women's Centre, have empowered women through comprehensive support services, including counselling, legal advice, and educational workshops.

News • 07 Mar 2025

Innovation hotspot: Google partnership to study geothermal energy potential

Google Australia has partnered with the University of Newcastle to better understand Australia’s untapped renewable resource buried deep below the ground – geothermal energy from the Earth’s heat.

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