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 • 06 Nov 2019
Engineering student secures John Monash scholarship
University of Newcastle engineering student, Sam Parker, will continue his ambition of combining empathy and empowerment with engineering, after receiving a prestigious John Monash Scholarship to carry out postgraduate study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2020.
News • 06 Nov 2019
Biomedical scientist’s mission to conquer cancer recognised at NSW Premier's Awards
Dr Matt Dun was named the Outstanding Cancer Research Fellow at this year's NSW's Premier Awards for Outstanding Cancer Research.
News • 04 Nov 2019
New monitoring technique lets your Remotely Operated Device do the snorkelling
Researchers at the University of Newcastle and Macquarie University have found a novel way to remotely track fish in shallow water environments.
News • 01 Nov 2019
New partnership encouraging innovation and regional economic growth takes flight
The University of Newcastle and Newcastle Airport have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that seeks to maximise opportunities to …
News • 30 Oct 2019
University of Newcastle part of ground-breaking NSW study to grow medicinal cannabis industry
The NSW Government is investing in pioneering research into the medicinal cannabis industry, with Minister for Agriculture, Adam Marshall unveiling a new $10 million study from a top-secret cannabis research facility in regional NSW, last week.
News • 30 Oct 2019
Pre-schoolers, teens and Indigenous women the focus for heart health research funding
Three Hunter researchers will focus on helping Australians have better heart health by investigating the causes, treatment and prevention of heart disease, after securing more than $385,000 in funding from the Heart Foundation.
News • 25 Oct 2019
Vale Professor Daphne Keats
The University community is saddened to acknowledge the passing of distinguished staff member and psychology trailblazer, Professor Daphne Keats.
News • 24 Oct 2019
University of Newcastle commits $5 million to attract top research talent
Budding research students aiming to make a meaningful impact with their studies are to receive significant funding support, thanks to a new $5 million scholarship fund from the University of Newcastle.
News • 21 Oct 2019
Prioritising our planet
The University of Newcastle has launched Environmental Sustainability Plan 2019-2025. The plan is a roadmap to operating in a sector leading, environmentally sustainable way.
News • 18 Oct 2019
New funding will see University of Newcastle students study across Indo-Pacific region
More than 400 students from the University of Newcastle will have the opportunity to work on projects across the Indo-Pacific region, thanks to the latest funding announced under the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan.
News • 17 Oct 2019
Estimating calorie content not clear-cut for all
We make food decisions several times a day – from what time we eat to how much – but a new joint study by the University of Newcastle and the University of Otago, New Zealand study has found we are not very good at judging the energy-density of what we consume
News • 17 Oct 2019
Cloud Immersion Day to unlock innovative use of the technology in the higher education sector
Businesses and organisations wanting to unlock the value of cloud technology are being urged to attend a free event on Thursday (17 October).
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.