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 • 22 Nov 2021
Screaming for attention: Surprise discovery of two new – and very loud – frog species
Scientists from the University of Newcastle, Australian Museum, South Australian Museum and Queensland National Parks and Wildlife have found and described two new, very loud, frog species from eastern Australia.
News • 19 Nov 2021
Tax clinic established at Newcastle Business School to assist the disadvantaged and vulnerable
Disadvantaged and vulnerable members of the Hunter will have access to free tax advice and assistance following today’s announcement by Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar that Newcastle Business School has been awarded $300,000 under the expansion of the National Tax Clinic.
News • 18 Nov 2021
Power of partnerships celebrated in 2021 Employability Excellence Awards
Entrepreneurialism, excellence and the power of partnerships are being celebrated as part of the University of Newcastle’s 2021 Employability Excellence Awards.
News • 17 Nov 2021
University secures 7th Heart Foundation grant
Professor Aaron Sverdlov is the 7th University of Newcastle researcher to benefit from the 2021 Heart Foundation funding program.
News • 17 Nov 2021
Professor Balogh honoured for his work in Emergency Medicine
Professor Zsolt Balogh has been named the top Emergency Medicine researcher in the country by The Australian's Research 2021 magazine. This is the second year in a row that Professor Balogh has taken out top honours in this field.
News • 16 Nov 2021
Threatened coral puts entire coastal ecosystems at risk
Huge declines of soft coral habitats off the NSW coast are a major cause for concern, putting entire food webs at risk, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Newcastle.
News • 16 Nov 2021
University of Newcastle’s Vice-Chancellor agrees to another five years
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, is to lead the institution for another five years, after agreeing to renew his contract until 2026.
News • 15 Nov 2021
University of Newcastle joins HEAL network to tackle health impacts of climate change
Australians will be better protected against the health impacts of climate change, thanks to the Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) network, with partners from across Australia, including the University of Newcastle, and $10 million in Federal Government funding.
News • 12 Nov 2021
MGA Thermal wins AFR Higher Education Award for research commercialisation
MGA Thermal, a spin-out company of our University, has been announced as the winner of the inaugural Research Commercialisation award from the 2021 Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards. Our University also topped the shortlist with three other nominations in multiple categories.
News • 12 Nov 2021
Resisting youth inactivity focus of funding success
Teachers from 90 high schools across New South Wales will be upskilled to tackle physical inactivity in students, following a significant National Health and Medicine Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership Program funding success led by University of Newcastle researcher, Professor David Lubans.
News • 08 Nov 2021
Green hydrogen feasibility study positions Port of Newcastle to drive a more diverse Hunter economy
Port of Newcastle and Macquarie’s Green Investment Group have launched a $A3 million feasibility study into the development of a green hydrogen hub at the Port that includes the backing of a $A1.5 million funding grant from ARENA, secured under its Advancing Renewables Program.
News • 08 Nov 2021
$4.5m in NHMRC Ideas Grants supports quest to improve human health
University of Newcastle researchers will explore new stroke prevention therapies, preterm birth interventions and a dual approach to breast cancer treatment with the support of $4.5m in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas grants
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.