Affordable and Clean Energy
Local Community Outreach for Energy Efficiency
The University of Newcastle delivers community and school outreach that helps people explore energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the role of engineering in a lower-emissions future.
Clean energy innovation in the Hunter
On 2 April 2025, the University's I2N Startup Stories program at the Honeysuckle Innovation Hub featured University alumnus Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech. The public event explored how a Newcastle cleantech startup is making ammonia production cleaner and more energy efficient, using less energy while reducing emissions and manufacturing costs.
The session connected clean-energy research and entrepreneurship with the Hunter's startup community, showing how energy-efficiency innovation can move from the laboratory into practical industrial applications.
Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech.
Energy learning through the Science and Engineering Challenge
The University's Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide STEM outreach program delivered in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors. In 2025, more than 26,800 students from over 873 schools took part, including Challenge and Discovery Days in Newcastle, the Central Coast and other regional communities.
Energy and sustainability are built into the program's hands-on activities. In ElectraCITY, students design an electricity network for a model city and must find the most efficient, lowest-cost way to supply buildings while accounting for cable resistance and infrastructure costs. Other activities include wind-turbine design and environmentally responsive housing.
The 2025 event calendar included Newcastle Challenge Days from 4-10 April and Newcastle Discovery Days from 8-12 September, alongside events throughout New South Wales and every Australian state and territory.
The National Science and Engineering Challenge
Building energy literacy through practical outreach
These programs give school students, community members, innovators and local industry practical ways to engage with energy efficiency and clean-energy solutions. They connect technical concepts with real-world decisions about electricity use, industrial processes, renewable technologies and sustainable design.
2024 Annual Spring School
The University of Newcastle's centre for organic electronics (COE) successfully hosted its 14th annual spring school. 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.
COE, the University of Newcastle Australia 5:43
Learn more
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.
News • 26 Feb 2019
Researchers awarded prestigious Fulbright Scholarships
Recognised for their potential to create global impact in their fields, three University of Newcastle researchers will receive prestigious Australian-American Fulbright Scholarships in a presentation at Parliament House this week.
News • 25 Feb 2019
New technology offers promising manufacturing potential for Australia
The University of Newcastle has been awarded funding to investigate the possibility of transforming low emission coal directly into a carbon fibre material.
News • 20 Feb 2019
‘Stage within a city’ unveiled for Honeysuckle campus
A sleek, sophisticated, transparent building with smart glazing will create a ‘stage within the city’ for the University of Newcastle, …
News • 18 Feb 2019
Study to help over-65s stay stronger
A new clinical trial at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) aims to help over-65s build muscle strength and reduce falls.
News • 15 Feb 2019
Aquatic drones capture shark paralysis after catch and release
An underwater drone has highlighted that catch and release fishing may have significant damaging effects on sharks, increasing their risk …
News • 14 Feb 2019
Funding awarded for innovative cancer research
Three University of Newcastle researchers have been awarded career fellowships worth more than $1.6 million for research into innovative cancer treatment.
News • 12 Feb 2019
Students reach an education milestone on their pathway to success
More than 100 students are this week set to celebrate the completion of a University of Newcastle pathway program.
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.