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 • 16 May 2023
New method to thaw frozen frog sperm produces better swimmers
Scientists have uncovered a superior method of freezing and thawing frog sperm leading to improved sperm quality. Driven by mass declines of frogs worldwide, research into cryopreservation of amphibian sperm has expanded for the purposes of conservation.
News • 10 May 2023
Transgrid partners with the University of Newcastle to create energy jobs for Hunter graduates
Transgrid has established a formal partnership with the University of Newcastle to create education, training and employment opportunities for students and support future energy projects in the Hunter.
News • 10 May 2023
University takes another step in its efforts to deliver hydrogen innovations on a global scale
The University of Newcastle is one of more than a dozen international signatories on a new Global Partnership for Hydrogen Innovation. An official signing of the partnership agreement took place on 10 May 2023 at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
News • 09 May 2023
Partnership puts Green Ammonia project on fast track for real world use
A cleaner greener future is one step closer thanks to a new $18 million research partnership between the University of Newcastle and Australian company Element One, and the Australian Government.
News • 08 May 2023
The true impact of the Black Summer fires on frogs
The first extensive survey of amphibian communities since the 2019-20 Australian Black Summer bushfires has revealed the true impact of severe fire on frogs in eastern NSW.
News • 05 May 2023
Launch of frog ‘hotels’ in Olney State Forest
Olney State Forest is now home to a series of frog ‘hotels’ designed to support threatened frog species, thanks to a partnership between Forestry Corporation of NSW and the University of Newcastle.
News • 04 May 2023
Hunter bird jet sets to Japan
A Bar-tailed Godwit shorebird from Stockton NSW has been sighted more than 8000 km north in the Ramsar-listed Higashiyoka-higata mudflats in Japan – a frequent ‘layover’ site for migratory birds.
News • 04 May 2023
Rethink needed on Hunter’s economic development priorities
For the first time, knowledge-producing jobs in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, such as those in the professional and information services, outnumber goods generating jobs, like manufacturing and mining.
News • 01 May 2023
Intentions alone not enough to succeed in refugee employment
Australian businesses want to employ refugees but don’t know where to start and require support, according to a new study.
News • 01 May 2023
Real-world, hands-on experience key to all students’ success
Practical and professional experience placements have been a regular feature for students studying engineering, medicine, nursing and education degrees for many years, and today the University of Newcastle has announced that from 2023 onwards all undergraduate programs will include a placement embedded in a workplace.
News • 26 Apr 2023
First patient on trial in colorectal, gastric and ovarian cancer study
Newcastle biotechnology company ImmVirX Pty Limited has treated the first cancer patient in the clinical trial of its bio-selected oncolytic virus, IVX037.
News • 14 Apr 2023
Unique partnership pushes for behavioural change by increasing nutrition knowledge
The University of Newcastle and Rijk Zwaan Australia’s free online Culinary Nutrition course is empowering people to improve their eating patterns by increasing understanding of the science behind healthy eating.
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.