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 • 27 Nov 2024

AI vs humans: Are AI chatbots ready for real mental health conversations?

Researchers from the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) are investigating if AI chatbots can help fill the critical service gap in support services by providing empathetic, 24-hour mental health support.

News • 25 Nov 2024

HMRI honours 2024’s best at Research Excellence Awards

University of Newcastle neurologist, Conjoint Professor Jeannette Lechner-Scott, has been named Researcher of the Year at the 2024 HMRI Research Excellence Awards.

News • 21 Nov 2024

Innovative Startups and Software Engineers among students recognised at Employability Excellence Awards

The University of Newcastle last night celebrated the achievements of six students during their Career-ready Placements and the invaluable contributions of staff and industry partners who provided exceptional workplace experiences, at the annual Employability Excellence Awards.

News • 21 Nov 2024

Advancing equity in research with nine new fellowships

The University of Newcastle has announced its inaugural cohort of the ADVANCE Equity in Research Fellowships.

News • 12 Nov 2024

Newcastle early intervention program for young men and boys to address violence

The University of Newcastle’s Name.Narrate.Navigate.360 (NNN.360) program has secured more than $2.1 million in Australian Government funding to support young men and boys who may be at risk of engaging in family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV).

News • 08 Nov 2024

University of Newcastle nursing students awarded at prestigious NSW International Education Awards

This week, two University of Newcastle students, Aradhana Grover and FenZhi Wen, were recognised at the prestigious 2024 NSW International Education Awards.

News • 05 Nov 2024

World’s top scientists gather in Newcastle to advance energy and innovation

This week Newcastle welcomes more than 800 eminent scientists from 42 different countries, including two Nobel laureates, for the fifth International Conference on Emerging Advanced Nanomaterials (ICEAN 2024).

News • 04 Nov 2024

The University of Newcastle and I2N: Pioneering a greener future through innovation

Surf lifesaving robots, green hydrogen energy, accessible beauty, wild yeast, and end-of-life planning are just some of the innovative ideas that will be showcased at the 2024 I2N Accelerator Demo Night this week.

News • 31 Oct 2024

Twenty years of ResTech: Celebrating collaboration between Ampcontrol and University of Newcastle

ResTech, a joint venture between Ampcontrol and the University of Newcastle, opened their doors to students, industry and the media for an Industry Open Day in celebration of their 20th anniversary.

News • 28 Oct 2024

Jenny’s Place Domestic Violence Resource Centre leads early intervention response

The nation is experiencing a domestic and family violence (DFV) crisis, and a trailblazing early intervention program offered by local organisation, Jenny’s Place, is leading the DFV response, a University of Newcastle study finds.

News • 22 Oct 2024

Medallist’s personal tragedy changes trajectory of childhood brain cancer

University of Newcastle and HMRI researcher Professor Matt Dun officially received the Australian Society for Medical Research Medal today. He also addressed the National Press Club in Canberra, sharing his deeply personal motivation for expanding his research from paediatric leukaemia to childhood brain cancer.

News • 09 Oct 2024

Newcastle Permanent and HMRI launch $2m health innovation partnership

Newcastle Permanent and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) have announced a new partnership, powered by a two-million-dollar donation to advance the impact of medical research, nurture local talent, and drive breakthroughs to create the healthiest people on the planet.

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