University of Tennessee and Volkswagen Drive the Future of Mobility Through Innovation Hub in UT Research Park

The longstanding partnership between the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Volkswagen Group of America continues to model the value of industry working with a world-class research institution to drive the future of mobility through innovation.

Volkswagen established a physical presence in Knoxville in early 2020 when the company opened its first innovation hub in North America at the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm. Over the past five years, the collaboration has produced more than 30 active research projects, 30 publications, and 12 pending patents.

Together, UT research faculty and Volkswagen scientists are collaborating on technology to make vehicles that are lighter, batteries that last longer, and materials that are more sustainable.

"Volkswagen is a model innovation partner and understands the value that co-location with a world-class research university creates," said Deborah Crawford, vice chancellor for research, innovation, and economic development. "Together, we are identifying technological solutions that improve products for consumers and create jobs for the people of Tennessee. The partnership supports UT's efforts to build Tennessee's future workforce and drive innovation that spurs economic growth."

Revolutionizing vehicle construction

UT and Volkswagen inked their first master research agreement in 2018 and extended it for five more years in 2023. Some past projects include:

• developing composites for car body parts that are lighter yet stronger;
• advancing vehicle electrification, including new high-power wireless charging concepts; and
• creating upcycling concepts and processes for materials conventionally deemed nonrecyclable, such as mixed-plastic waste and fiber-reinforced composites.

Results of the collaborative research between Volkswagen and UT have already made their way into the production lines of Volkswagen brands including Bentley and Lamborghini, as well as Volkswagen in Chattanooga. The team recreated the lift gate of a Volkswagen Atlas using a type of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, which proved to be 13 pounds lighter than the conventional metal-based version—a weight-savings of more than 35 percent. These lighter materials could extend the range of electric vehicles as well as those with a combustion engine.

"The innovations stemming from UT's partnership with Volkswagen have a direct and immediate impact on vehicle design and manufacturing right here in Tennessee," said Chancellor Donde Plowman. "These collaborative discoveries demonstrate the real-world potential of public-private partnerships."

Rethinking recycling

Professor David Harper in UT's Center for Renewable Carbon and his students are now working on making interior door handles for one of VW's electric models using natural fibers—specifically paper pulp. Tests show that these interior door handles are not only stronger than their traditional plastic counterparts but also lighter and cheaper to produce.

David Harper's lab at the Center for Renewable Carbon is helping Volkswagen manufacture car parts made of paper pulp that are stronger and cheaper than ones created through traditional methods. Photo by Steven Bridges/ University of Tennessee.

"A majority of automotive parts today are not recyclable," Harper said. "Using paper pulp, which has a robust supply chain and is available globally, can help VW in several ways. Not only will these parts, which are 60 percent plant fibers, have a reduced carbon footprint, they can also be recycled and reclaimed at the vehicle's end-of-life."

While Harper's team is currently focused on internal car parts, the next step is to demonstrate that this technology could work for external parts as well.

"Right now the end-of-life solution for plastic parts in cars is the landfill. So the more of a car we replace with technology that reclaims all the carbon, the more we reduce our environmental footprint," he said.

UT also introduced VW to Eastman, a global specialty materials company headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee. Eastman's carbon-renewal technology is being used to recycle automotive shredder residue into new plastic resins. This closed-loop recycling process aims to create new high-quality automotive parts from recycled materials, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.

"Making automotive parts recyclable is an important step toward reaching our sustainability goals," said Hendrik Mainka, principal program lead for Volkswagen's Innovation Hub Knoxville. "We're excited to see local innovation leading to worldwide adaptation."

Ph.D. Fellows combine study and work

Through the Innovation Hub in Knoxville, UT and Volkswagen also developed the VW Ph.D. Fellows program, a one-of-a-kind doctoral fellowship program that integrates Ph.D. candidates into Volkswagen as full-time employees. Since 2020, fellows have pursued a variety of research interests, including advancing fiber-reinforced plasticsand new lower-carbon materials that are recyclable or reusable. Others have investigated how the shapes materials are in will affect performance in a car crash and explored new technologies like EV wireless charging.

VW's first Ph.D. Fellows have finished or are finishing their programs this academic year, with one having transitioned to a full-time position with VW after graduating in December and the other set to graduate in May, said Mainka.

"Providing industry-informed hands-on experiences like these within the context of STEM undergraduate and graduate degree programs is critical for Tennessee's long-term leadership in the mobility industry," Crawford said.

Provided by University of Tennessee at Knoxville