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.

News • 03 Jul 2025

Commonwealth Supported Place postgrad initiative empowers Kieran to pursue surgical dreams

Kieran Cubby, a proud Wiradjuri/Murrawarri man from Dubbo, is on a determined path to becoming an orthopaedic surgeon – a dream that once seemed out of reach.

News • 02 Jul 2025

Smarter water use helping University save water

The University of Newcastle is making significant strides in environmental sustainability, with a targeted 15% reduction in water use by the end of 2025. This ambitious goal, benchmarked against 2015 levels, reflects the University’s commitment to responsible water management and sustainable campus operations.

News • 01 Jul 2025

Team Wollotuka named back-to-back national champions

The University of Newcastle has been announced as the 2025 Indigenous Nationals winner for the second year in a row, after a group of talented students retained the trophy at the annual university sport games.

News • 26 Jun 2025

$1.27m ARC Linkage funding to improve animal health and grow Australia’s biomanufacturing capability

Delivering innovative solutions to improve food security, public health and environmental sustainability, two University of Newcastle research teams have secured more than $1.27million through the latest round of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects funding

News • 18 Jun 2025

University of Newcastle ranked 2nd in World for Climate Action

The University of Newcastle’s strong commitment to sustainability has been recognised globally, with the university ranking second in the world for Climate Action in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

News • 15 Jun 2025

Approval granted for new City Campus Student Accommodation

The University of Newcastle has received formal approval from the NSW Government to proceed with the construction of its new City Campus Student Accommodation, located on the corner of Civic Lane and Worth Place.

News • 10 Jun 2025

2025 King’s Birthday Honours celebrates distinguished Australians

The University of Newcastle proudly acknowledges the outstanding Australians recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, particularly those that make up the diverse and accomplished University community.

News • 09 Jun 2025

Secret koala population uncovered on city fringe

A landmark survey has uncovered a hidden koala population living on the fringe of a major city, using thermal drone searches with spotlight verification and statistical modelling.

News • 03 Jun 2025

Astronomers gain unprecedented insight into the formation of a planet 850 lightyears away

On a quest to understand how planets are formed – and ultimately how Earth fits into the cosmic picture – astronomers have uncovered the chemical composition of an exoplanet 850 lightyears away with unprecedented precision.

News • 22 May 2025

Newcastle engineer shines under Australian Academy of Science spotlight

In recognition of his boundless contributions to the field of electrical engineering, the Australian Academy of Science has today announced University of Newcastle Emeritus Professor Rick Middleton as a Fellow of the Academy.

News • 22 May 2025

First researchers announced for accelerator program tackling sepsis, stroke, IVF and hearing

The Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) has announced the first group of innovators selected for the Newcastle Permanent Innovation Accelerator …

News • 13 May 2025

Newly-refurbished University of Newcastle building opens at Callaghan Campus in honour of Alumnus Dr Vic Levi

Today marked a significant milestone at the University of Newcastle with the official opening and renaming ceremony of ‘The Vic Levi Building’, formerly known as the Health and Physical Education Building, at Callaghan Campus.

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