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 • 11 Jul 2019
Checking in on check-ups to help Close the Gap
An intervention designed to help Close the Gap, by increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who receive an annual health check by their GP, will be implemented and evaluated by a new National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project.
News • 10 Jul 2019
Unique partnership transforming lives of people living with mental illness
Local not-for-profit Momentum Collective has teamed up with the University of Newcastle’s Department of Rural Health to help people recovering from mental illness rebuild their lives and connect to their local community.
News • 09 Jul 2019
Experts challenge WHO recommendations on saturated fats
University of Newcastle, Australia nutrition researcher Professor Manohar Garg is among a group of international experts who have questioned World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on reducing saturated fat consumption to curb chronic disease.
News • 03 Jul 2019
Schools Visit Day serves up a taster of University life
More than 2000 high school students from across the state experienced ‘a day in the life’ of a University student today, as the annual Schools Visit Day took place across Callaghan campus.
News • 21 Jun 2019
Fellowship to help reconnect stroke survivors with community
Stroke researcher Dr Heidi Janssen has received the Hunter Medical Research Institute’s first Women in Medical Research Fellowship (WIMRF) to develop a unique, community-based rehabilitation project using activities such as singing, dancing and art to stimulate patient recovery.
News • 20 Jun 2019
Trial to confirm insulin dose for fat and protein on blood glucose levels in people with diabetes
Those with diabetes have been carb counting to calculate meal insulin for a long time, but what about the impact of fat and protein on blood glucose levels?
News • 12 Jun 2019
Plastic ingestion by people could be equating to a credit card a week
A new study has revealed on average people could be ingesting approximately five grams of plastic every week, which is the equivalent weight of a credit card.
News • 04 Jun 2019
Altitude Accord scholarship winners announced
Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA), Regional Development Australia (RDA) Hunter and University of Newcastle are pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural Altitude Accord Scholarship as part of its partnership to help build an industry-skilled, homegrown Hunter workforce for the region’s growing
News • 03 Jun 2019
Earthquake triggers urgent call to review sea level predictions
Major earthquakes can cause land to sink and sea level to rise at a pace greater than the threat of climate-related rise, and may continue for decades after, new research reveals.
News • 28 May 2019
Tapping into tradition for land management
University staff and students recently joined members of the local Broke community to participate in the rare immersive experience of a cultural burn.
News • 23 May 2019
Partnership to protect oceans from oil spills
A remediation programme to protect island ecosystems from damage caused by oil pollution from World War II wrecks sunk in the Pacific Ocean has launched in Newcastle Harbour.
News • 20 May 2019
Leading the defence against superbugs
A new multimillion-dollar project will develop an artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance system to better understand and tackle the cycle of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Australia.
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.