Affordable and Clean Energy
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.
COE, the University of Newcastle Australia 5:43
Learn more
News • 25 Oct 2016
Helping our Central Coast kids achieve their educational goals
A forum aimed at helping to bridge the regional skills gap by increasing equity in education will be held on the Central Coast at the end of October.
News • 24 Oct 2016
Outstanding alumni acknowledged for their work shaping the future
Outstanding alumni acknowledged for their work shaping the future
News • 21 Oct 2016
$2.2 million grant for quit-smoking trial helping pregnant Aboriginal mums
Aboriginal mums will benefit from a culturally appropriate quit smoking program.
News • 17 Oct 2016
Laureate Professor Kevin Galvin awarded for innovation
Congratulations to Laureate Professor Kevin Galvin who was awarded the 2016 NSW Premier’s Prize for Energy Innovation in NSW.
News • 13 Oct 2016
Clean water collaboration wins major International award
University of Newcastle’s Professor Robert Melchers has received an international award with a team of national and international researchers and water utilitie
News • 11 Oct 2016
UON furthers its support for mental health reform in Ghana
Associate Professor Chris Kewley is travelling to Ghana, West Africa for the country's third Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference.
News • 10 Oct 2016
Dr Gillian Gould: 2016 Alan Chancellor Award winner
UON researcher Dr Gillian Gould was awarded for her substantial body of research into smoking cessation with the GP’s highest award.
News • 10 Oct 2016
Laureate Professor Rob Sanson-Fisher new AAHMS fellow
Laureat Professor Rob Sanson-Fisher has been elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
News • 10 Oct 2016
University of Newcastle reappoints Chancellor Mr Paul Jeans
The University of Newcastle (UON) today announced its Chancellor, Mr Paul Jeans, has been reappointed for a second four-year term to 30 June 2021.
News • 10 Oct 2016
Laureate professor honoured for lifetime achievement
Laureate professor Graeme Jameson honoured for lifetime achievement in science
News • 05 Oct 2016
Lifetime achievement award for Laureate Professor Jameson
Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson was recently presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the International Mineral Processing Congress (IMPC).
News • 30 Sep 2016
Researches shine as Australia’s brightest minds recognised
Three University of Newcastle (UON) researchers have been recognised for their outstanding work in the field of scientific discovery at …
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.