Greening Up Auto Part Manufacturing: A Collaboration between Academia and Industry

Historically, manufacture of automotive electronic components and screen-printing of automotive instrument clusters at DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. required washing of equipment such as screens, stencils, and jigs with sizable quantities of volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants. Collaborative efforts between the Maryville College Department of Chemistry and DENSO resulted in a reduction in the use of such solvents, and DENSO remains in compliance with the EPA’s requirements. Individual projects were initiated during an analytical chemistry course when students met with DENSO associates to discuss pressing research problems. During the semester, students designed and performed preliminary experiments and drafted a research proposal that the instructor submitted to DENSO. Funded work was completed under the supervision of the instructor during the summer, and results and recommendations were included in a final report to DENSO. The nature of the collaboration is discussed, as are the results and positive outcomes of the projects.