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 • 23 Apr 2018
Strengthening Food Industry Innovation on the Central Coast
Regional Development Australia Central Coast in partnership with Central Coast Industry Connect and the University of Newcastle, will launch the Central Coast Food Innovation Region Initiative, at a Food Futures Central Coast Industry Forum this week.
News • 23 Apr 2018
Funding boost for Indigenous Australians living with dementia
Laureate Professor Robert Sanson-Fisher has received more than $3 million in funding under the NHMRC Dementia in Indigenous Australians scheme.
News • 20 Apr 2018
Wind turbine innovator wins Stanford University Scholarship
A University of Newcastle innovator who developed a small wind turbine with remarkable capacity, has won the inaugural Stanford Australia Foundation – CSIRO Scholarship.
News • 18 Apr 2018
Food addiction: why your mind matters
A world-first, personality-based online intervention for food addiction is being developed by a team* of dietitians, psychologists, neuroscientists, occupational therapists and health researchers.
News • 13 Apr 2018
A kindergarten dream turns reality for University of Newcastle law graduate
With a dream to become a lawyer since kindergarten, Sapphire Dawson persevered to pursue a Law degree, overcoming the initial setback of not meeting the necessary entry score.
News • 12 Apr 2018
Funding success to improve health outcomes
Researchers from the University of Newcastle (UON), Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and Hunter New England Health have been awarded more than $600,000 in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding.
News • 12 Apr 2018
A passion for helping evolves into a career of helping
With a background working in the community service sector, Ella Reed identified an opportunity to bolster her clinical experience with theoretical knowledge. This led her to pursue a Bachelor of Social Science.
News • 11 Apr 2018
New Futures Hackathon will decode solutions to help the aged care crisis
The University of Newcastle will invite innovators, problem solvers, tech heads and designers to create technical solutions to help alleviate the world’s ageing population crisis at the New Futures Hackathon for Aged Care.
News • 10 Apr 2018
University radio station announces new interim CEO
Prominent Newcastle business leader Ms Deborah Wright is the new interim CEO of the University of Newcastle’s community radio station 2NURFM, which this year celebrates its 40th year of broadcasting.
News • 09 Apr 2018
Visiting fellow promotes better wellbeing at work
The University of Newcastle (UON) is delighted to welcome visiting Fellow Dr Joan Bottorff, Director of the Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention at the University of British Columbia.
News • 06 Apr 2018
University of Newcastle graduate bridges the gap in rural health
Graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Community Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology and currently practising as a paediatric physiotherapist, Luke Wakely is passionate about minimising inequity in health, particularly for children who live in rural ar
News • 06 Apr 2018
Doctor-to-be Nicole Whitson paves the way for Indigenous students
Following in the footsteps of her Aunty, Professor Gail Garvey, Nicole Whitson is proud to be the third person to graduate from her large Indigenous family of almost 40 immediate relatives.
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.