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 • 19 Apr 2021
Flu tracking system captures COVID-19 impact
One of the largest crowd-sourced public health surveillance systems in the world, known for detecting the spread of influenza, has revealed the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted the 2020 flu season.
News • 14 Apr 2021
Former Australian Prime Ministers celebrated at graduation
Two former Australian Prime Ministers were recognised for their contributions to the nation, in particular the higher education sector, by the University of Newcastle today.
News • 09 Apr 2021
Scene set for Great Hall graduation celebrations
More than 1550 graduates will relish the opportunity to celebrate their study achievements when they graduate in the University of Newcastle’s Great Hall from today.
News • 07 Apr 2021
Green hydrogen demonstration drives zero emission future
A state-of-the-art green hydrogen fuel, developed in partnership between the University of Newcastle and Southern Green Gas has today been unveiled and demonstrated in Hyundai’s NEXO hydrogen fuel cell SUV.
News • 31 Mar 2021
Food and Agribusiness Doctoral Training Centre established on the Central Coast
The University of Newcastle has today opened its newest Doctoral Training Centre (DTC), the Food and Agribusiness DTC, at Ourimbah.
News • 30 Mar 2021
Final phase of organisational change presented to staff for feedback
The University of Newcastle released the final phase of its organisational change program today. The Schools change proposals follow on from earlier changes to the University’s College structure, and recent proposed changes to the organisation’s Divisions.
News • 26 Mar 2021
Environmentally sustainable ARC projects awarded almost $2 million in funding
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced its latest round of funding for Linkage Project grants, with three University of Newcastle projects attracting funding totalling $1,868,005.
News • 25 Mar 2021
‘Sneaky’ sperm particles hitchhike around the body
A world-first discovery of ‘sneaky’ sperm particles found outside their ‘home’ in the testes offers new hope for men with fertility issues and new insight for cancer researchers.
News • 25 Mar 2021
Patients should get COVID-19 vaccine before surgery to reduce death risk: study
An international research study has found that surgery dramatically increases the risk of death from COVID-19, recommending that all non-emergency surgery patients be vaccinated while awaiting procedures.
News • 18 Mar 2021
Framework launched in commitment to Indigenous education and research
The University of Newcastle has unveiled a major piece in its longstanding commitment to Indigenous higher education, innovation and engagement with the launch of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Research Framework, coinciding with national Close the Gap Day.
News • 17 Mar 2021
Research shows possible link between number of fast-food outlets and heart attacks
Researchers from the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health (HNE Health) have found that for each new fast-food outlet the number of heart attacks per 100,000 people went up by four.
News • 15 Mar 2021
Indigenous research trailblazer honoured with lecture series
Esteemed historian and Indigenous research trailblazer, University of Newcastle Emeritus Professor John Maynard has been honoured with a new lecture series in his name.
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.