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 • 04 Apr 2019

Partnership sets year 8 girls on STEM path

Girls from two Hunter-based High Schools seeking a higher education and career in STEM-related disciplines are closer to achieving their goals thanks to a partnership announced between HunterWiSE, Newcastle High School, Callaghan College and Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group.

News • 22 Mar 2019

Quadram Institute and University to tackle global food and health challenges

The United Kingdom’s Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) and the University of Newcastle have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote cooperation and a stronger relationship between the two organisations.

News • 20 Mar 2019

First-of-its-kind resource aids legal practitioners in identifying elder abuse

As national conversations around the treatment of the elderly continue, academics from the University of Newcastle are supporting legal practitioners to act as another line of defence to better identify and combat elder abuse.

News • 15 Mar 2019

Research underway to improve prostate cancer diagnosis

Funding from the Cancer Council NSW will help advance research in the areas of prostate and lung cancer.

News • 14 Mar 2019

Significant funding boost to aid global health issues

Hunter researchers have been successful in securing more than $2.8million to work toward solutions for some of the nation’s most pressing health challenges.

News • 13 Mar 2019

University welcomes US Fulbright scholar to investigate factors affecting women’s health

Set to investigate factors that affect women’s health, Dr Michael Hendryx was officially welcomed to the University of Newcastle today as the 2019 US Fulbright Distinguished Chair Scholar.

News • 12 Mar 2019

Your skin could hold the answer to your mental health

Tiny changes on the surface of your skin may be the answer to early identification of stress, anxiety and depression before symptoms even present themselves, according to new research.

News • 12 Mar 2019

Brain blood flow and menstrual migraine: is there a link?

Poor blood vessel function, which has been linked with cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart disease, may also be implicated in migraine, researchers at the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Medical Research Institute say.

News • 07 Mar 2019

Mark Hughes Foundation awards innovation in brain cancer

Five highly innovative brain cancer research projects have received over $725,000 in funding from the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) following a nationwide call-out and scientific review by experts in the field.

News • 07 Mar 2019

University welcomes Pacific Island students who will help tackle environmental problems in their region

Three Pacific Islands students are set to undertake research focusing on the environmental protection of vulnerable island and ocean ecosystems that will directly benefit their communities

News • 28 Feb 2019

Engineer and innovator honoured for significant contributions to the field

Engineer and leader in the field of geotechnical rock mechanics, Professor Anna Giacomini, has been honoured with a 2019 John Booker Medal for her exemplary contributions to science and engineering.

News • 27 Feb 2019

Altitude Accord partnership to grow future defence workforce

Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) will today launch a strategic partnership with two key partners to bring transformative developments to undergraduate curriculum at the University of Newcastle and develop the future high-value skills of a new generation workforce.

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