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 • 12 Apr 2023
Ourimbah graduates ready to make their mark
When Matthew Craig crosses the stage during the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah graduation ceremony this week, he will do so knowing he is graduating ready to make a difference in the lives of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the Central Coast.
News • 04 Apr 2023
Maths with Mariners: the event inspiring kids to kick their learning goals
Central Coast Mariners have teamed up with the University of Newcastle to kick off an event set to inspire Central Coast high school students to engage with mathematics.
News • 29 Mar 2023
Discovery key to reducing leukaemia treatment resistance
In a world first, Newcastle researchers have discovered the mechanisms acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells use to produce ‘free radicals’ – the byproduct of a cell process that aggressively fuels the growth of cancer cells and limits the effectiveness of current treatments.
News • 27 Mar 2023
New initiative set to boost Newcastle's global reputation as a preferred destination to study
More than 1,200 newly arrived international students and their families were officially welcomed to the city by the Lord Mayor today and equipped with resources, services and programs to orientate them with everything Newcastle has to offer.
News • 22 Mar 2023
The University of Newcastle becomes first Australian University to achieve two Cygnet Awards
The University of Newcastle has become the first University in Australia to be awarded two Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Cygnet Awards, recognising its work to support academic and professional women.
News • 20 Mar 2023
Chancellor Jeans to retire after decade of high distinction
The University of Newcastle Chancellor, Mr Paul Jeans, has announced he will retire at the end of the year, following more than ten years in the prestigious post.
News • 16 Mar 2023
Groundbreaking new research and a scientific career sparked by a High School teacher
New research by ‘ARC Centre of Excellence–Minerals’ researcher Josh Starrett maps a path to more-sustainable minerals processing by evidencing energy savings and waste reductions made possible by using Australian technology the REFLUX™ Classifier (RC).
News • 15 Mar 2023
Personalised care at the heart of significant funding boost
More than $17.6 million has been awarded to Newcastle researchers working to better support patients and their carers in the latest Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) round administered by the Australian Government.
News • 12 Mar 2023
Associate Professor Matt Dun named Lake Mac Ambassador for 2023
University of Newcastle cancer researcher, Associate Professor Matt Dun, has been selected as Lake Macquarie’s Ambassador of the Year for 2023.
News • 08 Mar 2023
Celebrating women ‘Cracking the Code’ this International Women’s Day
This year, on International Women’s Day, we are celebrating 11 female staff, students, and alumni who are ‘Cracking the Code’ and paving a way towards gender equality.
News • 08 Mar 2023
The University of Newcastle first NSW university to achieve Cygnet Award
The University of Newcastle is the first NSW university to be awarded a Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Cygnet Award, recognising its work to boost career development support for academic and professional women.
News • 07 Mar 2023
Beginning teachers deliver same quality of teaching as experienced teachers
Early career teachers deliver the same quality of teaching as their more experienced colleagues, new research from the University of Newcastle’s Teachers and Teaching Research Centre (TTRC) reveals.
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.