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.

News • 04 Dec 2023

Hunter medical students earn while they learn

An Australian-first initiative to boost healthcare staff  and provide medical students with invaluable paid experience is now underway in Hunter New England Local Health District, thanks to a new partnership with the University of Newcastle and TAFE NSW.

News • 04 Dec 2023

Construction set to begin on the University of Newcastle’s new Central Coast Campus

Work on the University of Newcastle’s new $63.8 million Central Coast Campus at 305 Mann Street in Gosford CBD is set to begin following the launch of the project’s construction phase today.

News • 30 Nov 2023

New research reveals encouraging step for Hunter renewal

New research has revealed that the majority of Hunter residents support the need for the region to transition to new sources of employment, a finding buffeted by the strong showings for the region in key social areas such as resilience and community.

News • 30 Nov 2023

Republic of Korea collaboration: Universities combine with Port of Newcastle on green ammonia research centre

The University of Newcastle and Port of Newcastle have today signed a tripartite agreement with Pusan National University in the Republic of Korea that will see the development of a collaborative research centre for green ammonia power generation.

News • 28 Nov 2023

Great Hall celebrates 50 years of cheering graduates across the stage

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the University of Newcastle’s Great Hall, which was officially opened by the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Roden Cutler on 28 November 1973.

News • 23 Nov 2023

$9.3m awarded to Newcastle health research projects aiming to improve lives

Using facial recognition to transform genetic diagnosis of children with intellectual disability and a community-led breastfeeding support program for Indigenous families are among five Hunter research projects awarded more than $9.3m in Australian government health and medical funding.

News • 20 Nov 2023

Wollotuka Institute celebrates 40 years

The University of Newcastle and our broader communities are proud to mark the 40th anniversary of the esteemed Wollotuka Institute.

News • 17 Nov 2023

Making IBS medicine with artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is supporting researchers with important exploration into new therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and ulcerative colitis, made possible by a $98,700 grant from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

News • 15 Nov 2023

University of Newcastle joins Uniseed venture fund to invest in future of Australian innovation

The University of Newcastle has signed on as an official partner of Uniseed - Australia's longest running venture fund dedicated to helping university researchers turn their ideas into products and services that deliver impact for our communities.

News • 13 Nov 2023

Seven teams secure $3.7m in ARC Discovery Project grants

The Australian Research Council (ARC) has awarded $3.7m in Discovery Project grants to seven University of Newcastle research teams.

News • 09 Nov 2023

The University of Newcastle recognises students, staff and industry partners at Employability Excellence Awards

University of Newcastle student Viv Jayachandran was last night awarded Student Entrepreneur of the Year at the University’s Employability Excellence Awards for his achievements establishing his software business, Jaegersoft.

News • 01 Nov 2023

New interactive report shows financial vulnerability hotspots across Australia

In the face of an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, a new interactive report reveals locations experiencing hardship and financial vulnerability across Australia.

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