Goal 7:
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 • 13 Sep 2024
Media Statement: Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky’s contract extended
University of Newcastle Chancellor, Patricia Forsythe, AM has announced the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky’s contract has been extended until the end of 2028.
News • 12 Sep 2024
Outstanding individuals recognised at annual Alumni awards
An internationally renowned soprano, Indigenous health pioneer, and an award-winning screenwriter were among those recognised at last night’s annual celebration of the University of Newcastle Alumni Excellence Awards.
News • 10 Sep 2024
$1.3m funding to better prepare for heatwaves
A project which aims to improve preparedness for the escalating threat of heatwaves in regional NSW, has been awarded more than $1.3m funding through the Disaster Ready Fund – an Australian Government initiative that supports projects which address the physical and social impacts of disasters on communities.
News • 10 Sep 2024
Community health, sporting excellence and education at the centre of new partnership
The people of Lake Macquarie and current and future students are at the centre of a new partnership between the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Sports Centre at Glendale.
News • 06 Sep 2024
Plans lodged for University of Newcastle City Campus Student Accommodation
The University of Newcastle is one step closer to delivering its brand new, state-of-the-art City Campus Student Accommodation building in Newcastle after submitting the project's State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for approval.
News • 05 Sep 2024
I2N wins Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year
The University of Newcastle’s Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) has won the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year at the 2024 Asia Pacific Triple E Awards, which recognises excellence in entrepreneurship and engagement in the higher education sector.
News • 05 Sep 2024
New fitness app makes strength training fast, fun and free for Hunter locals
From outdoor gyms to the loungeroom, a new fitness app, designed by University of Newcastle researchers, makes strength-based workouts accessible to Hunter residents aged 18 to 80 and beyond.
News • 03 Sep 2024
New sports collaboration to tackle gendered violence on the Central Coast
The University of Newcastle has teamed up with the NSW Department of Education, Enrichd Group and the Central Coast Mariners football club to deliver an innovative community program that aims to address gendered violence and promote respectful relationships among secondary school students in the Central Coast region.
News • 02 Sep 2024
University of Newcastle recognised as national leader in equity
The University of Newcastle has today been recognised as a leader in addressing inequality, becoming one of the first two universities in Australia to receive a Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena Swan Silver Award.
News • 30 Aug 2024
Mission to solve unexplained gut disease granted $3m NHMRC funding
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has today awarded $3m to the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Digestive Health to continue its mission to find causes of chronic unexplained gut diseases, unlock new targets for therapies and ultimately cure disease.
News • 29 Aug 2024
Scholarship supports students to strive to success
The Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle has announced their 2024 Indigenous scholarship recipients at their annual breakfast. The 48 successful recipients were celebrated in front of their peers thanks to the generosity of their community scholarship donors.
News • 28 Aug 2024
In three minutes or less: Creative pitches take first place at competitive research finals
Jake MacDonald and Zanab Malik claimed first place at the University of Newcastle’s Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) and Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) competition finals last night.
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.