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 • 17 Mar 2015
Tuck into snack study
With little known about young Australians’ perceptions of nutritional value and portion size of snack foods, UON is putting the sweet tooth to the test.
News • 17 Mar 2015
Frozen creator to visit UON
The creator of Frozen and Frozen 2 Chris Buck is making an epic journey to UON to share the secrets of innovative creativity.
News • 06 Mar 2015
Rising respiratory researcher
One of Europe’s premier international prizes for emerging respiratory researchers has been awarded to Dr Malcolm Starkey from the University of Newcastle.
News • 05 Mar 2015
MS researchers to explore environmental triggers
HMRI researcher A/Prof Jeannette Lechner-Scott is investigating the environmental risk factors surrounding multiple sclerosis after receiving a $220,000 project
News • 04 Mar 2015
Schizophrenia research first
University of Newcastle's A/Prof Murray Cairns has received an $800,000 2014/15 NSW Genomics Collaborative Grant to explore better treatment for Schizophrenia.
News • 03 Mar 2015
Breast cancer early warning signal
A new magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) technique may reduce or delay the need for preventive mastectomies among women at high risk of breast cancer.
News • 03 Mar 2015
Expanding Australia’s contamination science effort
Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment & Remediation of the Environment CRC CARE will be based at the University of Newcastle.
News • 24 Feb 2015
Breast cancer gene breakthrough
breast cancer study shows need to expand gene screening, University of Newcastle
News • 20 Feb 2015
New professionals graduate
The Port Macquarie community will celebrate an important milestone today when University of Newcastle Port Macquarie graduates its first cohort of midwives.
News • 17 Feb 2015
Teen boys swap screens for fitness
Teen boys from 14 Hunter and Central Coast high schools are now fitter and spending less time in front of screens.
News • 16 Feb 2015
Healthy Weight Week
UON Professor in Nutrition & Dietetics Clare Collins is leading a national campaign to encourage Australians to cook at home and win the battle of the bulge
News • 16 Feb 2015
UON alumnus establishes 20-year prize
UON alumnus Prof Wanbil Lee and his wife are supporting students with ‘Wanbil Lee and Becky Shiu Prize for Ethical and Socially Responsible Use of Technology'.
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.