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 • 23 Nov 2022
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Elite swimmers in the region will now be able to train in Newcastle with the University of Newcastle today officially opening its new NUsport Performance Hub, created in partnership with Swimming NSW and the NSW Institute of Sport.
News • 22 Nov 2022
University groundwater scientist joins Academy royalty
Globally-recognised groundwater scientist Professor Craig T. Simmons will be officially inducted into the Australian Academy of Science today.
News • 21 Nov 2022
Exploitation of migrant workers highlights systemic issue across Australia
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News • 18 Nov 2022
Six local founders accelerate their businesses
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News • 18 Nov 2022
University of Newcastle Graduations take to Singapore
More than 320 students from the Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education, a campus of the University of Newcastle, will graduate this weekend.
News • 17 Nov 2022
Researchers discover why viral infections are worse for people with COPD
Researchers from the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and the University of Newcastle have identified immune killer cells that are responsible for exacerbating viral infections in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
News • 16 Nov 2022
Researchers reveal breast cancer protein could predict chemotherapy sensitivity
Researchers have identified a protein that, when present in high amounts in breast cancer tumours, is an indicator of whether DNA-damaging therapies will work or not.
News • 15 Nov 2022
Science challenge helping students discover a love of STEM for over 20 years
Today the United Nations estimates that the global population has reached 8 billion people. While this milestone is largely symbolic, the impacts of humanity on our planet are both real and acute.
News • 11 Nov 2022
2022 HMRI Researchers of the Year announced
University of Newcastle’s Professor Brett Nixon is the 2022 Hunter Medical Research Institute Researcher of the Year.
News • 11 Nov 2022
Research innovation and translation specialist to lead Trailblazer
Professor Emmanuel Mastio joins the Australian Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy from the Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre where he was a research commercialisation consultant and IP advisor.
News • 10 Nov 2022
Students, Staff and Industry Shine at University Employability Excellence Awards
Innovative thinkers, Google interns and local businesses going above and beyond to give students exceptional workplace experiences have all been celebrated at the University of Newcastle’s 2022 Employability Excellence Awards.
News • 08 Nov 2022
University of Newcastle receives $479,000 in funding for Women in STEM program
The University of Newcastle has welcomed $479,000 in funding as part of the Federal Government’s Women in STEM Cadetships and Advanced Apprenticeships Program.
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.