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
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News • 01 Feb 2023
2023 Ma & Morley scholars begin their transformative experience
This year, 25 Scholars will begin their life-changing experience as part of the University of Newcastle’s Ma & Morley Scholarship Program. Now in its sixth year, the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program has provided a transformative experience to close to 170 university students since 2018.
News • 31 Jan 2023
University of Newcastle Professor Appointed UNESCO Chair
The University of Newcastle’s Professor Penny Jane Burke has today been appointed a UNESCO Chair in Equity, Social Justice and Higher Education – a globally-prestigious role that will see her working to improve the lives of marginalised groups around the world.
News • 27 Jan 2023
2023 Australia Day Honours in celebration of our remarkable community
The University of Newcastle is proud to celebrate the accomplishments and impact of its diverse community who have been recognised in the 2023 Australia Day Honours.
News • 24 Jan 2023
Industry partnership aims to heal wound control problem
University of Newcastle experts and industry leaders will join forces to develop new ways to address wound control, a distressing problem that costs the Australian healthcare industry $3.5b each year.
News • 23 Jan 2023
New International Hotel School ahead as part of plan to address tourism skills shortage
The University of Newcastle is set to open an International Hotel School as the next phase in a plan to address labour shortages that plague the tourism sector in the region and beyond.
News • 20 Jan 2023
Beat the scammers and dive into Law on the Beach
Financial scammers don’t discriminate when honing in on their targets, often leaving the most vulnerable in the community confused and fearful.
News • 19 Jan 2023
Award-winning night of reflection Ngarrama returns
Building on the success of the inaugural event, the University of Newcastle is proud to welcome the wider community once again to Ngarrama.
News • 18 Jan 2023
Pro Vice-Chancellor Nathan Towney named 2023 Newcastle Citizen of the Year
University leader and Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous, Strategy and Leadership, Nathan Towney, has been selected as Newcastle’s 2023 Citizen of the Year.
News • 11 Jan 2023
NSW and ACT universities take sector leading steps to strengthen early offer admissions
The New South Wales Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (NSWVCC), the peak body for universities in NSW and the ACT, has initiated a sector-leading approach to introduce a new set of underlying principles for early offer admissions in 2024.
News • 15 Dec 2022
Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard honoured at graduation
The Honourable Julia Gillard, AC, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters honoris causa by the University of Newcastle, in acknowledgement of her exceptionally distinguished service to Australian society.
News • 15 Dec 2022
Spinal cord pain to PTSD: $5.2m in NHMRC grants to target pressing medical conditions
Both the body and the mind will be a key focus for innovative researchers from the University of Newcastle, who were successful in the latest round of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grants.
News • 12 Dec 2022
Ready to make a difference: University of Newcastle 2022 graduates
The first cohort of students to graduate from the Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering will make history this week as they cross the stage during the University of Newcastle’s graduation ceremonies.
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.