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 • 07 Mar 2018
Architecture graduate named best in the state
Master of Architecture alumnus, Andrew Hannah-Davies, from the University of Newcastle has received the prestigious New South Wales (NSW) Graduate Medal.
News • 02 Mar 2018
Road to Birth delivers world-first virtual window into pregnancy
A ground-breaking development in virtual reality technology at UON has given world-first visual insight into the internal stages of childbearing and its effect on the human body, signifying a huge step for health practitioners and expectant parents globally
News • 01 Mar 2018
University of Newcastle stars in QS Subject global rankings
Fifteen University of Newcastle subjects have earned a prestigious place among the world’s top 200, including six in the top …
News • 28 Feb 2018
Students design new healthcare solutions
Honours student, Richard O'Regan, will be one of the first to use his design skills to tackle the nation's biggest health issues through an inaugural scholarship scheme supported by nib.
News • 28 Feb 2018
Young scientist recognised as emerging researcher
Emerging postdoctoral researcher, Dr Lee Ashton, has been selected to attend the highly prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting being held in Germany this June.
News • 27 Feb 2018
Fulbright scholarships to enhance health research
Two researchers from the University of Newcastle (UON) have received prestigious international scholarships through the Fulbright Program to further their research in the field of health.
News • 27 Feb 2018
Innovative partnership aimed at impact in Kenya
A collaboration between academics and government representatives, the Australia Awards fellowship is aimed at strengthening public service performance and building governance capacity in Kenya.
News • 23 Feb 2018
UON biotech startup sells for $502 million
Oncolytic virotherapy firm Viralytics, which originated from the work of UON's Associate Professor Darren Shafren, has been acquired for $502 million by world-leading pharmaceutical company, Merck.
News • 21 Feb 2018
Humble salt fights mass frog extinction
It’s been touted a natural health cure for centuries, now a University of Newcastle study reveals that humble salt may halt devastating chytrid disease in frogs
News • 20 Feb 2018
Defence forum targets emerging research
The University and ADC have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on research into the use of virtual simulation to support individual training.
News • 16 Feb 2018
New rules to tackle concussion in NSW sports
UON Clinical Neuropsychologist, Dr Andrew Gardner, will play a key role in protecting Australian athletes from concussion on the field, with new state-wide guidelines announced today.
News • 16 Feb 2018
HCRF research fellowship to support better nutrition, better breathing
The Hunter Children's Research Foundation has awarded Dr Megan Jensen with an Early-Career Fellowship thanks to a bequest from the late Peggy Lang.
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.