Affordable and Clean Energy
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.
COE, the University of Newcastle Australia 5:43
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News • 21 May 2018
Innovation in health research awarded
HMRI Researcher of the Year, Professor Clare Collins, has been awarded the President’s Award for Innovation at the Dietitians Association of Australia’s National conference for her work developing the Healthy Eating Quiz™.
News • 21 May 2018
How creativity plays role in early childhood education
The Hunter’s early childhood community will have the opportunity to hear from two visiting Italian researchers on the role of creativity in early childhood education when they present at a public symposium at the University of Newcastle this week.
News • 18 May 2018
Associate Professor Tracy Burrows awarded the title of Fellow
Associate Professor Tracy Burrows has been awarded the prestigious title of Fellow by the Dietitian’s Association of Australia (DAA).
News • 18 May 2018
Newcastle’s pioneering medical program celebrates milestone
Four decades ago the University of Newcastle’s Foundation Dean of Medicine, Professor David Maddison, was promised a free hand to create an innovative medical program.
News • 18 May 2018
University of Newcastle researcher crowned SciFinder Future Leader
University of Newcastle’s Dr Siddulu Naidu Talapaneni has been awarded the title of 2018 CAS SciFinder Future Leader, recognising him as an up-and-coming leader in shaping the future of scientific information and innovation.
News • 17 May 2018
Two new pathways expand the horizon for cancer research
Researchers from the University of Newcastle have discovered two new cancer vulnerabilities by investigating a special class of genes known as noncoding RNA (ncRNA).
News • 17 May 2018
Professor Moghtaderi wins an Australian Good Design Award for the world’s first VAM abatement testing facility
Professor Behdad Moghtaderi has been awarded a prestigious Good Design Award in the Engineering Design category for the world’s first …
News • 16 May 2018
New study: childhood asthma rates reduced with tailored intervention
Researchers have confirmed that when a woman’s asthma medication is optimally during pregnancy, the rate of asthma in her offspring is nearly halved.
News • 15 May 2018
Putting justice into practice for National Law Week
To mark National Law Week, the University of Newcastle in partnership with The Lock Up will bring together artists, writers, lawyers, academics, students, families of victims, and those interested in areas of social justice for an Art & Law Symposium.
News • 15 May 2018
University of Newcastle announces the best “hack” for aged care
Careflex - a web based system connecting person-carer dyads, service providers and health professionals with the aim of yielding personalised aged care outcomes and minimising administration time has been awarded the Best Tech Solution.
News • 15 May 2018
University of Newcastle students receive new Hunter Water Scholarships
Two University of Newcastle students have been awarded newly established Hunter Water scholarships, which offer financial assistance to help Indigenous students achieve their educational aspirations.
News • 14 May 2018
University of Newcastle supports international youth tours
The Newcastle Jets are proud to welcome the University of Newcastle (UON) as an official club partner, thanks to their support of upcoming international youth tours.
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.