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 • 28 Jun 2022
Tertiary system can better support victims of gender-based violence
New research by the University of Newcastle has found students who are victim-survivors of gender-based violence overcome major challenges to access and fully participate in higher education – and the institution is pushing for change.
News • 26 Jun 2022
Mark Hughes Foundation and the University of Newcastle announce new $25 million Centre for Brain Cancer Research
The greatest minds that are fighting the frontline battle against brain cancer will be brought together as the new Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research at the University of Newcastle, is officially announced today – Monday, June 27.
News • 17 Jun 2022
Inaugural Meg Purser Communications Scholarship awarded
A passion to make a positive impact in the community has seen second year University of Newcastle communications student Courtney Yeandle named as the inaugural recipient of the Meg Purser Scholarship.
News • 14 Jun 2022
Outstanding Australians recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours
The University of Newcastle congratulates and celebrates all Australians recognised in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours, especially those belonging to the University’s esteemed community.
News • 11 Jun 2022
NSW Government announces $18M for University of Newcastle Gosford campus
The University of Newcastle has today welcomed the State Government’s commitment of $18 million for a new University campus in Mann Street, Gosford.
News • 10 Jun 2022
Bull shark ‘baby food’ under extreme threat
Ecologists have uncovered the key nutrients baby bull sharks rely on to grow and survive; alarmingly, it’s derived from an ecosystem which is under extreme threat from climate change – saltmarsh.
News • 09 Jun 2022
University of Newcastle maintains position as top 200 university in the world
University of Newcastle has affirmed its position as a world leading university, climbing a further four places to rank 192 in the world in the QS World University Rankings.
News • 03 Jun 2022
From commitment to action: The journey to a low emissions future
The University of Wollongong (UOW) and the University of Newcastle, in partnership with Business Illawarra and Business Hunter, hosted a special event on Wednesday, 1 June 2022, to discuss the role the universities are playing in making Australia a leader in clean energy.
News • 27 May 2022
Scientists and students onboard to map East coast tsunami risk
A team of marine scientists and university students are onboard to investigate the causes and consequences of the submarine landslides and deep-marine canyons along Australia's eastern edge during a five-week voyage on CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator.
News • 25 May 2022
Strong results for University of Newcastle
The University of Newcastle has signalled it will invest in student accommodation, upgrading laboratories and learning areas and revitalising campus environments following the release of its 2021 Annual Report this we
News • 19 May 2022
Why rankings are more than just a number
The University prides itself on providing world-class education to the region and we aim to create life-ready graduates. Rankings can sometimes feel like just another number however, their meaning lies much deeper.
News • 17 May 2022
New mountainfrog species identified in Southeast Queensland
Ecologists from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) and researchers from the University of Newcastle, Southern Cross University, CSIRO and the South Australian Museum have uncovered a new species of mountainfrog; Philoriaknowlesi, in Queensland’s south-east, and are now working to protec
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.