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 • 13 May 2025

University announces Stage 1 of courses to be taught on Central Coast as construction completion date nears in Gosford

The University of Newcastle has today announced Education, Social Science, Business, and Pathway programs will be taught at the new Mann Street site in the heart of Gosford from next year, as the first stage of program announcements for the new facility.

News • 30 Apr 2025

New research funding for the fight against cancer

Two Cancer Council NSW grants will support University of Newcastle research that aims to increase cancer survival and improve quality of life.

News • 30 Apr 2025

Better treatment and prevention at the heart of new cardiovascular grants

Backed by NSW Health's Cardiovascular Senior and Early- to Mid-Career Researcher Grant, two University of Newcastle researchers are leading projects to deliver better health outcomes.

News • 24 Apr 2025

Research Forum unites leaders to tackle regional housing crisis

To inspire meaningful collaboration to address the housing crisis, the University of Newcastle will bring together key players from government, industry, academia and community groups to discuss challenges and potential solutions.

News • 17 Apr 2025

Filling the gap – University’s vision for dental and oral health on the Coast

The University of Newcastle has today shared details of its vision for a dentistry school and 50-chair public dental clinic and training facility on the Central Coast to reduce waiting times and increase dental services for the region.

News • 15 Apr 2025

Get a university degree at the SCG

The Global Institute of Sport (GIS) and the University of Newcastle today announced a landmark partnership to establish a cutting-edge sports university campus in Sydney, leading the charge to develop talent for Australia’s rapidly expanding sports industry through the golden decade leading up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

News • 10 Apr 2025

MHF Centre backs big ideas to beat brain cancer

Big ideas in brain cancer research have been fast-tracked by the University of Newcastle’s Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research.

News • 10 Apr 2025

Skilled, inspired, and ready: Central Coast graduates make their mark

Nurses, teachers and oral health therapists will be among hundreds set to boost the workforce and make a difference on the Central Coast as they graduate from the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah campus on Tuesday.

News • 08 Apr 2025

Long-spined sea urchin surprisingly not on the menu for large fish

New research has uncovered a crucial clue to understand the spread of ‘barrens’ in the Great Southern Reef, which are threatening the reef ecosystem.

News • 08 Apr 2025

Professor Willis earns top Australian science award for pioneering mathematics theory

Hailed as the creator of new mathematics, the University of Newcastle’s Emeritus Professor George Willis has been awarded the coveted Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal by the Australian Academy of Science.

News • 03 Apr 2025

National study confirms healthy eating linked to longevity in women

Australian women who eat mainly in line with Australian Dietary Guidelines or a Mediterranean-style diet* are 40% more likely to live until their mid-to-late 70s than those with poorer diets, according to the country’s largest analysis of women’s long-term dietary data published today in The Journal of Nutrition.1

News • 02 Apr 2025

nib funds local research to tackle chronic disease, mental health and knee replacements

A program that uses genetically guided health information to help people better manage chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, along with two other specialist health programs at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) have attracted funding from the nib foundation.

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