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
Learn more
News • 17 May 2024
Professor Dun recognised with Australian Society for Medical Research award
The Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) has announced Professor Matt Dun from the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute as the recipient of the esteemed 2024 ASMR Medallist award.
News • 16 May 2024
Scientists unlock key to breeding ‘carbon gobbling’ plants with a major appetite
The discovery of how a critical enzyme ‘hidden in nature’s blueprint’ works sheds new light on how cells control key processes in carbon fixation, a process fundamental for life on Earth.
News • 06 May 2024
Sector-first approach to Indigenous health research
Community members and top medical bodies across the Hunter and New England regions have joined forces in a powerful bid …
News • 06 May 2024
Scientists uncover the climate of a planet 280 light-years away
An international team of researchers has mapped the weather – including temperature, cloud cover and winds – on an exoplanet that is roughly 280 light-years from Earth.
News • 06 May 2024
Scientists uncover the climate of a planet 280 light-years away
An international team of researchers has mapped the weather – including temperature, cloud cover and winds – on an exoplanet that is roughly 280 light-years from Earth.
News • 06 May 2024
Scientists uncover the climate of a planet 280 light-years away
An international team of researchers has mapped the weather – including temperature, cloud cover and winds – on an exoplanet that is roughly 280 light-years from Earth.
News • 03 May 2024
New study aims to put asthma into remission
Researchers at HMRI and the University of Newcastle have evaluated a drug called azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, to test if it would put moderate to severe asthma into remission.
News • 03 May 2024
New study aims to put asthma into remission
Researchers at HMRI and the University of Newcastle have evaluated a drug called azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, to test if it would put moderate to severe asthma into remission.
News • 03 May 2024
New study aims to put asthma into remission
Researchers at HMRI and the University of Newcastle have evaluated a drug called azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, to test if it would put moderate to severe asthma into remission.
News • 29 Apr 2024
From the Classroom to the Operating Room: Emily Mason’s Journey as an Indigenous Female Surgeon
For proud Gamilaroi woman, Emily Mason, the path to becoming one of the country’s only Indigenous traumatology specialist surgeons has …
News • 29 Apr 2024
Partnering to prevent local extinction of threatened marsupial
City of Newcastle (CN), the University of Newcastle and FAUNA Research Alliance have joined forces to investigate ways to protect Squirrel Gliders in the Lower Hunter.
News • 19 Apr 2024
Newcastle team on mission to improve childhood cancer outcomes
A University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute team will endeavour to improve the outcomes of children diagnosed with high-risk cancers with support of a $591,890 Cancer Australia grant.
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.