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 • 29 Jan 2018
Global analysis reveals how sharks travel the oceans to find food
A UON researcher is part of a major international collaboration that has revealed greater insight into the feeding habits of the world’s shark population.
News • 26 Jan 2018
Laureate Professor Nicholas Talley awarded Companion of the Order of Australia
Professor Talley’s award is the 10th Companion in the Order of Australia awarded to a UON recipient.
News • 25 Jan 2018
End of life conversations imperative to inform care
New research shoes only seven per cent of cancer patients having key conversation around end of life care with their doctor
News • 25 Jan 2018
Australia Day award honours outstanding women in research
Three exceptional UON researchers have been recognised as inspiring leaders with an Australia Day Honour from the National Women's Council of NSW
News • 19 Jan 2018
Funding to advance acute stroke therapies
Professor Chris Levi will be able to continue vital research into stroke treatment therapies after receiving funding from the Medical Research Future Fund.
News • 18 Jan 2018
Complimentary legal service for those who need it most
Novocastrians needing legal advice this summer are encouraged to tap into UON's free community legal advice clinics
News • 15 Jan 2018
International economics conference shines spotlight on Newcastle
UON's city campus continues to attract worldwide attention, with the 14th Western Economic Association International conference held at NeW Space last week
News • 12 Jan 2018
Property guardianship and the 21st century city
Dr Cathy Smith has been honoured with a prestigious Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD) 2018 Richard Rogers Fellowship
News • 09 Jan 2018
Academic secures coveted Fellowship at the University of Cambridge
University of Newcastle mathematician, Dr Mike Meylan, will undertake a prestigious Clare Hall Visiting Fellowship at the University of Cambridge this year.
News • 15 Dec 2017
Academic honoured for graduating global citizens
Associate Professor Brendan Boyle has received a 2017 Teaching Excellence Award from the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT).
News • 15 Dec 2017
Prof Nicholas Talley crowned Australia’s top researcher
Professor Nicholas Talley, UON’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Research is Australia’s most cited academic, a new report from Google Scholar confirms.
News • 14 Dec 2017
Research honoured for advancing Indigenous education
Professor John Lester from the University of Newcastle has received the Ray Debus Award for Doctoral Research in Education.
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.