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 • 08 Nov 2021
University of Newcastle and KPMG collaborate to build new tech hub in Hunter
The University of Newcastle and KPMG Australia have signed an agreement that will see the two organisations work together to create nearly 100 roles for graduates over the next five years, with the first cohort of new graduates commencing in February 2022.
News • 05 Nov 2021
2021 HMRI Awards for Research Excellence announced
The HMRI Awards are a celebration of the outstanding efforts and achievements of individuals and teams who drive and support the opportunities that health and medical research bring to the wellbeing of our community.
News • 05 Nov 2021
The University of Newcastle introduces new pathway to uni
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, Professor Alex Zelinsky, has today announced a new alternative pathway to higher education.
News • 04 Nov 2021
Pioneers and innovators celebrated in 2021 Alumni Excellence Awards
One of Australia’s most highly regarded and influential engineers, an international social changemaker and trailblazers in STEM education, mental health …
News • 22 Oct 2021
University and Port to strengthen region’s future
The Hunter region’s growth, economic diversification and social cohesion are at the heart of a Memorandum of Understanding signed today between the University of Newcastle and Port of Newcastle.
News • 20 Oct 2021
Funding awarded to fight Australia’s single biggest killer
Six University of Newcastle researchers have secured more than $1million in Heart Foundation funding to research the causes, prevention, and treatment of heart disease, stroke and related conditions.
News • 11 Oct 2021
Name. Narrate. Navigate. A new way to combat youth violence
A significant funding boost will expand learnings from the Name.Narrate.Navigate (NNN) pilot program – a preventive-intervention program developed to address the significant, yet underserviced, issue of youth violence.
News • 07 Oct 2021
COVID-19 nasal spray moves to Phase 2 study
Encouraging preliminary results from an ongoing phase 1 study have triggered the announcement of phase 2 studies for a first-in-class nasal spray to protect people from respiratory viral diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza.
News • 16 Sep 2021
National research centre opens to secure minerals for the future
The University of Newcastle has congratulated research and industry partners at today’s official opening of a $35 million Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence focussed on transforming the minerals industry and securing a low-carbon future.
News • 14 Sep 2021
NHMRC awards $8.3m to Newcastle researchers to investigate global health problems
Three University of Newcastle researchers are set to analyse some of the world’s most critical health problems, supported by more than $8.3m in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator grants.
News • 09 Sep 2021
Do you feel like you’re addicted to food?
A new study by researchers from the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and the University of Newcastle will investigate treatments to assist individuals with addictive eating behaviours.
News • 08 Sep 2021
New study delivers answers about preterm labour
A team of researchers has discovered the process of labour during preterm birth is different from that of full-term birth.
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.