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 • 14 Dec 2018

Yoga and mind study aiming to relieve severe asthma

Respiratory researchers at the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute are investigating how yoga and mindfulness classes can …

News • 12 Dec 2018

NHMRC awards $12.4 million to 14 Newcastle projects

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has awarded the University of Newcastle more than $12.4 million to support …

News • 06 Dec 2018

$1.5 million project aiming to deliver ‘precision rehabilitation’

A new decision-making tool being developed in a major research project is set to give patients better and more personalised rehabilitation interventions after knee replacement surgery.

News • 04 Dec 2018

$2.4 million program partnership to empower girls in sport

The NSW Government will invest $2.4 million in a statewide rollout of the University of Newcastle’s award-winning lifestyle program Dads And Daughters Exercising and Empowered (DADEE).

News • 03 Dec 2018

Ground breaking achievement for local soil researcher

Soil science researcher Professor Nanthi Bolan has been named on the Global Highly Cited Researchers List 2018, just in time for World Soil Day this Wednesday 5 December.

News • 30 Nov 2018

Exercise program a big HIIT for students’ fitness and mental well-being

A high intensity physical activity program targeting senior high school students has scored a positive report card, not only improving students’ fitness, but also their mental well-being.

News • 28 Nov 2018

Greater Bank and University banking on building community’s financial literacy

Two iconic Newcastle organisations have entered into an industry-first partnership, dedicated to building the financial literacy of the region’s communities.

News • 27 Nov 2018

Prestigious recognition for local historian

Recognised for her outstanding contribution to the humanities in Australia, Professor Lyndall Ryan has been elected to the Australian Academy of Humanities, which is the highest honour of achievement in this field.

News • 27 Nov 2018

Call for fathers and preschoolers to take part in family health program

The University of Newcastle is calling for 150 dads with three to five-year-olds to take part in a healthy lifestyle program being offered in the Hunter region.

News • 22 Nov 2018

Female researchers sponsored in academic journey

Seven promising University of Newcastle researchers are helping to pave the way for their female peers, as recipients of a Women in Research (WIR) Fellowship designed to support the development of their academic careers.

News • 22 Nov 2018

Pilot project to evaluate the use of Virtual Reality in teaching soon to run University wide

Virtual Reality and other simulation technologies are making their way into teaching and education: the University of Newcastle is looking into what it will take to implement VR as a sustainable and lasting teaching tool and is therefore launching the Simulation Technology Evaluation Pilot (STEP) Pr

News • 21 Nov 2018

New Tastes of Wine Symposium

Join industry professionals and experts for an evening of wine, cheese and discussion around how Australia’s changing trends are leading innovations in wine production.

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