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 • 10 Mar 2022
Nutrition on menu to create healthy rural hearts
The NSW New England region has one of the highest rates of heart disease in the state.
News • 04 Mar 2022
University invites community to join collective kindness campaign
The culture of kindness will take centre stage on 9 March when the University of Newcastle rallies the support of its communities for its inaugural Gifting Day.
News • 02 Mar 2022
$1m grant to target depression in heart patients
Cardiologist and researcher, Professor Andrew Boyle, will investigate whether a novel well-being app can reduce depression in patients discharged from hospital with acute heart failure.
News • 28 Feb 2022
The future of plastic pollution in the Pacific
The fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) will begin on Monday, February 28, however negotiations are already underway in the drafting of an international treaty to curb plastic pollution
News • 28 Feb 2022
Inaugural NSW Women in Surgery Leadership award announced
The University of Newcastle’s Associate Professor Amanda Dawson is the first recipient of the prestigious Royal Australasian College of Surgeons NSW Women in Surgery Leadership award.
News • 24 Feb 2022
Top-notch educators claim national University Teaching Awards
Honoured for their teaching excellence, four exceptional University of Newcastle academics have been selected—from a national pool—for a highly coveted University Teaching Award.
News • 22 Feb 2022
The paradox of Australia’s response to COVID-19
A new report has found that the agile stability embedded in Australia’s health care state was ultimately responsible for the nation’s high vaccination rates.
News • 18 Feb 2022
Antarctic ice cores reveal Australian drought risk worse than thought
Antarctic ice core records have shown that eastern Australia’s drought risk is greater than thought.
News • 18 Feb 2022
Researchers get creative to support healthy ageing minds
Researchers will investigate how the creative arts can support healthy brains and heathy minds as we age.
News • 18 Feb 2022
Singapore campus officially opened: University signals Asia-Pacific commitment
The University of Newcastle has officially opened its new campus office at the Singapore National Library.
News • 15 Feb 2022
University of Newcastle signs landmark MOU to strengthen industry collaboration
The University of Newcastle has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NSW Government to boost innovation and drive research commercialisation.
News • 11 Feb 2022
Mental health trailblazer to lead national Women in Health Science Committee
The University of Newcastle’s Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin is the new Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Women in Health Science Committee.
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.