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 • 03 Sep 2021
Advice and support for COVID-19 impacted HSC students
With year 12 students preparing for one of the most disrupted HSC periods in history, a leading education expert provides advice for coping with exam pressure and cautions perceptions that an ATAR is the only path to university.
News • 27 Aug 2021
University announces more support for Year 12 students
The University has announced more support for this year’s Year 12 students, including COVID adjustment points.
News • 17 Aug 2021
Funding success supports early career research translate to real-world
Five outstanding University of Newcastle early career researchers have been successful in securing more than $2 million in the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme.
News • 16 Aug 2021
Substantial grant awarded in the fight against ovarian cancer
Professor Pradeep Tanwar and his team have studied women with a family history of ovarian cancer to identify a blood-based protein biomarker that could help save the lives of millions of ovarian cancer patients around the world.
News • 04 Aug 2021
New approach to tackling mosquito-borne disease in the Hunter
New research to tackle one of Australia’s most prolific mosquitos, responsible for spreading most cases of Ross River virus, has commenced in the Hunter region of New South Wales.
News • 30 Jul 2021
Securing Australia’s economic future amidst global uncertainty
A significant funding boost for Australian researchers will help secure the nation’s economic future, regardless of the uncertain relations between global powerhouses China and the United States.
News • 22 Jul 2021
Design at the he(art) of $24M hub to advance personalised medicine
In a win for the nation’s personalised healthcare capability, the University of Newcastle has been announced as a key partner in the establishment of a new $24 million Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub led by the University of New South Wales.
News • 13 Jul 2021
World-first needle-free diabetes test
A world-first, pain-free diabetes test developed at the University of Newcastle could be in the hands of consumers following $6.3 million in funding to establish the first manufacturing facility for the device.
News • 09 Jul 2021
Cancer research gets $7 million boost in NSW regions
The Translational Cancer Research Capacity Building Grant will build an innovative cancer research network in the Hunter, New England, Central Coast and the Mid North Coast, led by Dr Craig Gedye.
News • 08 Jul 2021
SMS4dads support service secures regional rollout
Building on an impressive trajectory of parental intervention, the unique SMS4dads service has been successful in securing more than $2.5 million to support new fathers in rural and remote areas of Australia.
News • 08 Jul 2021
Medical Research Future Fund success for key health initiatives
Three University of Newcastle-led research teams have secured more than $3.5 million through the Australian Government's Medical Research Future Fund, bolstering the University’s commitment to better, healthier living within our regions and beyond.
News • 08 Jul 2021
Hunter people to benefit from local research into dementia tests and treatments
Two exciting new University of Newcastle research studies that will look to identify those most at risk of developing dementia and then attempt to delay or stop its development are underway in the Hunter New England region.
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.