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 • 07 Nov 2018

Heart failure researcher named 2018 rising star

Associate Professor Aaron Sverdlov has been recognised with the 2018 Ministerial Award for Rising Stars in Cardiovascular Research.

News • 07 Nov 2018

Research leading the way towards smoking cessation

New strategies aimed at helping people from diverse backgrounds cease smoking have been recognised as leading initiatives amongst the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector.

News • 01 Nov 2018

Newcastle's global animation festival returns

Two of our students will have their work showcased at this year's Newcastle International Animation Festival.

News • 31 Oct 2018

Does Dr know best? The role of patients in cancer care decisions

A public seminar at HMRI being held tonight is set to explore the range of roles in cancer care, from doctors to patients.

News • 30 Oct 2018

Neurogastroenterologist named NSW Scientist of the Year

Eminent University of Newcastle biomedical scientist and global authority on functional gut disorders, Laureate Professor Nicholas Talley, AC, is the 2018 NSW Scientist of the Year, announced tonight at the NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science and Engineering at Government House, Sydney.

News • 30 Oct 2018

Oral health students test their nerve in the virtual world

The dentist’s chair may soon be less daunting, with a ground-breaking simulation from the University of Newcastle providing Oral Health Therapy students a unique opportunity to practice administering dental injections in a virtual environment before they enter the patient clinic.

News • 26 Oct 2018

Big hopes for small technologies to create global solutions

Global nanotechnology experts, who use innovation in materials science to develop advanced technologies and solutions for the energy, environment and …

News • 25 Oct 2018

Dads and Daughters Exercise Program stretches to London

A world-first lifestyle program developed at the University of Newcastle, designed to help enhance the physical and emotional well-being of young girls, is set to expand internationally for the first time.

News • 24 Oct 2018

The sickening truth about virtual reality

A new study has found that cybersickness, caused by exposure to virtual reality (VR), is the same clinical condition as classic motion sickness.

News • 22 Oct 2018

Adam Spencer inspires school students in STEM

Australian comedian, media personality and one of the world's best mathematics communicators, Adam Spencer, will educate and inspire Hunter school students in a series of problem solving sessions today.

News • 17 Oct 2018

Tourism student travelling towards a successful career

Third-year business student, Morgan Page, has her sights set on making her mark in the tourism industry after receiving a Minister’s Student Achiever Award last month.

News • 16 Oct 2018

Grandmothers deserve more recognition for caring

Grandmothers deserve more recognition for their role as caregivers and some are at risk of being overburdened, according to a report from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health.

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