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 • 07 Aug 2023
Local Hunter teens on a mission to reveal data leaks at Cyber Experience event
With a hypothetical mission to uncover the identity of a company insider who leaked valuable trade secrets, a group of curious young minds will experience first-hand what a career in cyber security looks like.
News • 04 Aug 2023
University of Newcastle Staff Vote Yes on New Enterprise Agreement
Staff at the University of Newcastle have shown overwhelming support for a 13% pay rise by voting in favour of their proposed new Enterprise Agreements.
News • 01 Aug 2023
Female Founders to get start-up boost
Female-led business start-ups in the region will have the opportunity to turbo-charge their start-up thanks to a free Female Founders Program to be run by the University of Newcastle’s I2N.
News • 01 Aug 2023
Research shows small grants have significant impact on disadvantaged families
Small financial grants can have a significant and lasting positive impact on the lives of the young people they assist, new research has found.
News • 01 Aug 2023
New program poised to help refugee women enter the construction workforce
The University of Newcastle has launched a program to support women from migrant or refugee backgrounds – who are interested in working in the construction industry – with the training and confidence to do so.
News • 01 Aug 2023
University of Newcastle successful recipients of four prestigious Australia Awards Fellowships
From inclusive education in Vanuatu to cyber security training in Samoa, four research teams at the University of Newcastle have been successful recipients of the highly competitive and prestigious Australia Awards Fellowships.
News • 31 Jul 2023
$1m supports immunology and microbiology researchers
Two Newcastle scientists are among six promising researchers recognised with a prestigious NSW Government grant designed to support and build health and medical research talent in NSW.
News • 31 Jul 2023
Hunter Ambassadors fostering greater Financial Literacy
A group of Greater Bank employees from across regional NSW have again been enlisted to teach the important life skills of financial literacy to high school students across the state.
News • 27 Jul 2023
One thousand new teachers set to benefit from Quality Teaching Rounds
More than a thousand beginning teachers are set to benefit from a $5 million four-year agreement between the Australian Government and the University of Newcastle to expand the award-winning Quality Teaching Rounds (QTR) program.
News • 26 Jul 2023
University of Newcastle transfers 1A Jaques Street Ourimbah to Central Coast Council for community use
Central Coast Council is delighted to formally accept the land transfer at 1A Jaques Street Ourimbah from the University of Newcastle.
News • 24 Jul 2023
People from across the region expected to get a taste of university life at Central Coast Open Day
Hundreds of people from across the Central Coast region will get a taste of university life as the University of Newcastle opens its campus doors for the Central Coast Open Day on Saturday 29 July.
News • 18 Jul 2023
First Health Innovation Living Lab opens in the Hunter
The Hunter’s first purpose-built Health Innovation Living Lab, located at John Hunter Hospital, has been officially unveiled to the community, supporting greater health research and innovation 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.