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 • 18 Apr 2024
Shanae’s passion for caring delivers her dream to work in health
A proud Dharug woman, born and raised on Darkinjung Country on the New South Wales’ Central Coast, Shanae Godbold always knew she wanted to go into some form of medicine.
News • 12 Apr 2024
University-school partnership project seeks to lift student outcomes
Twenty-five NSW government schools in communities with the least access to socio-educational advantage will benefit from a new research partnership …
News • 12 Apr 2024
University of Newcastle Professor Appointed Chief Scientist for South Australia
The University of Newcastle has congratulated Professor Craig Simmons for his appointment to the role of Chief Scientist for South Australia.
News • 12 Apr 2024
World-first platform to help understand how bushfire smoke harms the lungs and heart
A research team has developed a world-first platform to define the impact of exposure to landscape fire smoke on the heart and lungs.
News • 11 Apr 2024
Paving the way in global hydrogen ammonia safety research
Recognised as a world leader in hydrogen ammonia safety, Laureate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi and his team at the Centre for Innovative Energy Technologies will partner with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) on a project to help quantify and mitigate risk from large-scale hydrogen ammonia storage in Singapore.
News • 10 Apr 2024
Solving our region’s greatest challenges at a world-class level
University of Newcastle secures top spots in global rankings
News • 04 Apr 2024
Foundation to fund research into secondary stroke prevention
Clinical researchers from John Hunter Hospital, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle will launch a study into the cardiac causes of stroke thanks to $268,176 in funding from the Greater Charitable Foundation.
News • 03 Apr 2024
Popular holistic health approach delivers limited benefits
A new study has revealed a popular, holistic approach to managing an individual’s relationship with food and dieting has one clear benefit – reducing hunger. The Health at Every Size (HAES®) practice concentrates on intuitive eating behaviours, without focusing on changes in body weight or size.
News • 02 Apr 2024
Associate Professor Rachel Sutherland celebrated in NHMRC 10 of the best
Translational researcher Associate Professor Rachel Sutherland has been recognised in the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) 10 of the Best list for 2024.
News • 25 Mar 2024
New research investigates the genetics of circulating vitamin A
A Newcastle research team has been exploring the role of vitamin A in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders.
News • 22 Mar 2024
University community to officially welcome Chancellor Forsythe
About 500 students, staff and community members will gather in the University of Newcastle’s Great Hall today to officially welcome the institution’s eighth chancellor, the Honourable Patricia Forsythe AM.
News • 19 Mar 2024
Newcastle expertise attracts $7.5m Australian Government grant to help boost Pacific region’s health
A University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Local Health District partnership working to strengthen field epidemiology capacity, disease surveillance and outbreak response in the Pacific for the past 10 years has been awarded $7.5m in Australian Government funding to continue their important work supporting public health training programs in the region.
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.