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
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News • 19 Jan 2016
UON innovation and development grants
The University of Newcastle has achieved success in the latest round of OLT grants.
News • 19 Jan 2016
UON Professor named one of world's most influential scientific minds
Professor John Forbes, UON cancer researcher, is one of the world's most cited researchers.
News • 13 Jan 2016
Law on the Beach celebrates 13 years
Novocastrians can get free legal advice from law students from the University of Newcastle this summer.
News • 08 Jan 2016
Australia-ASEAN Council funding for Disaster Resilience
A team of UON researchers have secured funding of $77,000 in the inaugural round of the Australia-ASEAN Council grant program for their project 'Disaster Resili
News • 22 Dec 2015
Earth’s magnetic field strong pull for UON physics student
University of Newcastle student Rhea Barnett will spend eight days on Casey Base, Antarctica.
News • 21 Dec 2015
Australian Graduate Survey Results
Almost 70% of all University of Newcastle graduates are in full-time employment within four months of completing their degree.
News • 04 Dec 2015
Research explores foods fit for an active lifestyle
Researchers at the University of Newcastle are researching the foods preferred by fitness buffs.
News • 03 Dec 2015
Fulbright announces two new scholarships with UON
The University of Newcastle will sponsor a prestigious new US Fulbright scholarship.
News • 02 Dec 2015
A new partnership working towards education in innovation-led renewal in Newcastle
An MoU between UON and UrbanGrowth NSW will commit to working to make education and innovation a centrepiece of the city's renewal.
News • 30 Nov 2015
GLOBAL RECOGNITION FOR LOCALLY DEVELOPED RESOURCE
My Big Tomorrow vwas developed in conjunction with Newism and the Village of Useful and has won multiple awards this year.
News • 30 Nov 2015
$4.4 million in funding to improve cancer care and prevention
Two Hunter-based researchers from UON have scored Cancer Council funding.
News • 24 Nov 2015
Supporting refugee students in higher education
An Australia-first symposium was held at UON to help higher ed institutions learn how to support refugee students.
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.