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 • 20 Jun 2018

Mental illness going unrecognised in country communities

Researchers have found that one third of country people experiencing psychological distress don’t identify as having a mental health problem.

News • 18 Jun 2018

Turn the spotlight on an innovator, creator or game-changer

With nominations open for the 2018 Alumni Awards, now is the time to turn the spotlight on a UON alumnus, who is breaking ground in their field, making a profound impact on communities worldwide .

News • 15 Jun 2018

New fellowship to help put the freeze on stroke

After a mild stroke many people recover and go on to live their lives. But for some, their condition will rapidly deteriorate in the hours following a stroke, and it appears that a build-up of pressure in the brain could be the cause.

News • 14 Jun 2018

Research highlights need for a new approach to COPD management

Researchers have provided evidence that a conventional treatment for common respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can actually lead to worse health outcomes when used to treat symptoms caused by respiratory virus infections.

News • 13 Jun 2018

Local blacksmith forging a culture of reuse

The local and surrounding Hunter community are invited to bring their old metal items and have them repaired at an inaugural blacksmith repair day this Saturday in Branxton.

News • 13 Jun 2018

Hunter asthma duo honoured with European respiratory awards

Hunter asthma researchers, Professor Peter Gibson and Professor Jodie Simpson, have scooped two of the European Respiratory Society’s (ERS) most prestigious awards.

News • 13 Jun 2018

Community encouraged to create new opportunities for worthy students

The University of Newcastle is appealing to the community to help transform the lives of students who have exceptional talent, but through circumstances beyond their control, have had limited opportunities to excel and succeed.

News • 12 Jun 2018

University members recognised in Queen's Birthday 2018 Honours

University of Newcastle staff, former staff and alumni have been named in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list, recognising their outstanding community contributions.

News • 07 Jun 2018

UON continues to move up QS World University Rankings

The University of Newcastle is now ranked 214th in the prestigious 2019 QS World University Rankings announced today.

News • 07 Jun 2018

Team of teen soccer robots represent Australia at World Cup

A team of teen robots, dubbed NUbots, are set to represent Australia at the RoboCup soccer world championships in Montréal.

News • 07 Jun 2018

From Taree to Tassie, telehealth nutrition intervention goes national

Hunter nutrition researchers are casting a nation-wide net with a tele-dietary intervention designed to help parents who are concerned about their child’s eating habits or weight.

News • 06 Jun 2018

Research capabilities on show in the Upper Hunter

New research projects and opportunities for industry collaboration will be showcased in Muswellbrook today at an event hosted by the University of Newcastle’s Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) Doctoral Training Centre (DTC).

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