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 • 07 Feb 2025

Record number of New Colombo Scholars to exchange knowledge in Indo-Pacific

The University of Newcastle has secured more than $1.9 million to support 334 students to participate in 23 New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility projects across 14 countries in the Indo-Pacific region over the next two years.

News • 03 Feb 2025

$2 million NHMRC grant brings childhood cancer cure step closer

A University of Newcastle research team has been awarded a $2 million National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant to help progress its mission to develop breakthrough treatments for the most lethal form of childhood cancer, diffuse midline glioma (DMG).

News • 28 Jan 2025

Outstanding community members celebrated in 2025 Australia Day Honours

The University of Newcastle extends its congratulations to all recipients who have been recognised in the 2025 Australia Day Honours, particularly celebrating those that make up a growing and important part of our University community.

News • 22 Jan 2025

From high-altitude hiking to sleep apnoea, study explores the impact on male fertility

Medical conditions that deprive the testes of oxygen, such as sleep apnoea, may be contributing to the decline in male fertility observed over the past 50 years, a new study suggests.

News • 20 Jan 2025

University secures $20.7m innovation facility - a fast track to net zero for industry

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has today visited the University of Newcastle to announce $20.7 million in funding to develop a ‘Future Industries Facility’ at the university’s Callaghan Campus. It will bring together undergraduate students, SMEs and community from across the Hunter to test and scale-up new technology and upskill people.

News • 16 Jan 2025

Ngarrama returns to light up Newcastle

Ngarrama will illuminate King Edward Park on Saturday 25 January when the University of Newcastle proudly welcomes the community back for its annual reflection event.

News • 17 Dec 2024

Aradhana finds strength in supporting others

Motivated to become a nurse after helping care for her mum, Aradhana (Anna) knew she wanted to dedicate her life to supporting people when they need it most.

News • 16 Dec 2024

Tori digs up past to plan for her future

Finding the body is vital in any murder investigation. PhD graduate, Victoria (Tori) Berezowski’s research focused on innovative techniques to help locate hidden graves.

News • 13 Dec 2024

Maddie aspires to build engineering dreams

Inspired by her father’s career and choosing to follow in his footsteps, Maddie Huynh is graduating with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours).

News • 12 Dec 2024

Off-field career pivot for psychology graduate Alex McKinnon

It’s been ten years since Alex McKinnon’s on-field spinal injury ended his career as a professional rugby league player, but today he fulfils a goal from a different field – earning a university degree.

News • 12 Dec 2024

Education that empowers: University of Newcastle celebrates record graduation

More than 3,700 students, including doctors, teachers, psychologists and engineers will be celebrated over five huge days and 13 inspiring ceremonies as the University of Newcastle hosts its largest graduation ever this week.

News • 12 Dec 2024

Dust yourself off and try again: you can do it and become a doctor

Failing doesn’t make you a failure, and it’s not a reason to give up on your dream. That’s what Shelby Edwards discovered while studying medicine at the University of Newcastle.

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