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 • 18 Dec 2020
New University-designed cultural facility to put Lake Macquarie on the MAP
Work will start early in the New Year on an Australia-first arts pavilion set to cement Lake Macquarie as one of the premier cultural destinations in NSW.
News • 18 Dec 2020
University of Newcastle design students win big at national awards
University of Newcastle students have been recognised nationally for their brilliant graphic design skills, taking out more wins than ever before in the national AGDA 2020 Design Awards.
News • 17 Dec 2020
New scholarship aims to improve health and wellbeing in Indigenous communities
To help address the health needs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across rural NSW, the University of Newcastle has launched a new Indigenous scholarship in the field of Speech Pathology.
News • 15 Dec 2020
Indigenous collaboration wins inaugural heritage accolade
An Indigenous-led collaborative project in traditional Darug Country in western Sydney has won the inaugural Aboriginal Heritage category in the 2020 National Trust Heritage Awards.
News • 15 Dec 2020
University partnership to deliver groundbreaking leadership program in NSW public schools
Education researchers have won a government tender to deliver a first-of-its-kind professional learning program for school leaders.
News • 14 Dec 2020
A graduation like no other
There is light at the end of the tunnel for 550 students who will celebrate the culmination of their studies at the University of Newcastle Callaghan graduation ceremonies this week.
News • 14 Dec 2020
2020 University of Newcastle Excellence Awards celebrated
The University of Newcastle has recognised the outstanding achievements of staff at its 2020 Excellence Awards.
News • 10 Dec 2020
The invisible hitchhikers alerting scientists to changes in the East Australian Ocean
For the first time, tiny marine organisms – known as microbes – have been recorded riding the iconic East Australian Current (EAC) from the Great Barrier Reef right down to Tasmania, alerting researchers to significant oceanic changes impacting the marine food chain.
News • 09 Dec 2020
Shuang Zhang named ELICOS NSW International Student of the Year
University of Newcastle postgraduate student Shuang Zhang is the 2020 ELICOS NSW International Student of the Year.
News • 09 Dec 2020
New partnership supports region’s medical research capability
The region’s health and medical researchers and community will benefit from a new partnership between Port Waratah Coal Services (Port Waratah), Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and Hunter New England Local Health District.
News • 07 Dec 2020
Meet our STEM Superstars
Two stellar female role models, an electrochemist and engineer, Dr Jessica Allen, and coastal scientist, Dr Hannah Power, have been announced as Australia’s newest ‘Superstars of STEM’.
News • 07 Dec 2020
University of Newcastle places best graduate outcomes at the centre of its new degree structures
The University of Newcastle has today announced the outcome of its comprehensive review of course structures.
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.