TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Dr. Ryan Harne

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Dr. Ryan Harne has spent his career at the intersection of innovation and impact. With over 17 years of experience in mechanical engineering, he has led groundbreaking research at The Pennsylvania State University and The Ohio State University (OSU), earning millions in grant funding and publishing more than 100 papers in top-tier journals like Nature, Nature Communications and Advanced Science. But Dr. Harne isn’t just a researcher—he’s a problem solver. His passion for translating theories into tangible solutions led him to develop a patented technology that transforms how we control vibration and shock.

 

In 2018, Dr. Harne took a decisive step out of academia and into entrepreneurship, co-founding HyperDamping, Inc. to bring this powerful technology to market. By the time of its incorporation, HyperDamping already clients waiting to sign development contracts—a signal of the demand that would accelerate in the years ahead.

 

The Science Behind the Solution

 

At the core of HyperDamping’s innovation is a principle drawn from structural beam theory. Dr. Harne developed a unique polymer engineered with geometries designed to operate at the inflection point between pre- and post-buckling—where its damping capacity increases dramatically. This principle was translated into physical prototypes using recyclable polymers, creating a revolutionary new way to address persistent noise and vibration issues.

 

In one dramatic demonstration filmed in Dr. Harne’s lab at OSU, metal tubes filled with HyperDamping material or conventional rubber were dropped side by side. The tube with conventional rubber bounced on impact. The one with HyperDamping material? It landed flat and didn’t move—an almost unnatural outcome that leaves viewers stunned. That same technology now powers HyperDamping’s commercial product line, thanks in part to the venture capital support from Rhapsody Venture Partners (RVP).

 

Products and Applications

 

HyperDamping products come in multiple formats—rolls, sheet goods, isolation mounts, and pads—tailored for high-performance vibration and shock absorption across many industries. Their two most prominent market segments are flooring systems and vibration isolation mounts:

 

Flooring Systems

HyperDamping’s vibration-isolating flooring products are ideal for fitness centers, basketball courts, dance studios, offices, and any space where impact noise travels through the subfloor. The patented designs of the materials drastically reduce transmitted noise from activities like dropped weights, runners on treadmills, or even ordinary footfalls. This is especially critical in repurposed spaces, where prior building specifications are ill-suited for suppressing the transmitted noise from more intense activities associated with fitness and recreation. HyperDamping’s materials offer a reliable solution.

 

Vibration Isolation Mounts and Damping Pads

Designed for HVAC systems, industrial generators, and even noisy household appliances, HyperDamping’s mounts and pads reduce vibration at the source, improve equipment performance, extend service life, and create safer and healthier home and work environments. For rooftop systems, their damping pads can be integrated into the curb, stopping vibration from traveling through the building envelope.

 

Architectural firms and HVAC vendors are taking note, not just for the performance advantages, but also for the environmental benefits. HyperDamping products are recyclable and aligned with green construction standards.

 

Engineering Expertise and Consulting

 

Dr. Harne brings over 17 years of experience in mechanical engineering, with a distinct ability to transition “hard-tech” from academic theory to market-ready applications. He holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech and is a licensed professional engineer. He is also a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and holds certifications from OSHA and the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association. He has received numerous awards, including the National Science Foundation Career Award, the ASME Gary Anderson Early Achievement Award, and the ASME CD Mote Jr. Early Career Award. Further, Dr. Harne’s reputation in the academic community led to requests from law firms to investigate challenging problems as an expert witness. That experience accelerated a career transition from academia to consulting, where Dr. Harne now applies his investigative skills and systems-level thinking to solve complex mechanical engineering problems for businesses and legal clients alike.

 

Milestones and Personal Impact

 

HyperDamping’s first commercial partner was Kinetics Noise Control, a globally respected leader in building acoustics solutions. Dr. Harne considers the relationship with Kinetics not only a professional milestone, but a testament to HyperDamping’s engineering rigor and commercial viability.

 

Only two days after meeting future business partners at RVP, Dr. Harne experienced a traumatic brain injury that caused permanent nerve damage. Reflecting on the incident, he said, “My first thought when I awoke in the hospital was—had I landed on a floor with HyperDamping materials, this could’ve been prevented.” That experience catalyzed his commitment to see his nascent technology turned into products that would protect people, and their wellbeing, in the environments where they live and work.

 

Earlier in his career, Dr. Harne was invited to meet the Prince of Monaco, who expressed interest in his work on kinetic energy harvesting. That research would eventually inform new concepts of shock and vibration mitigation, laying the groundwork for what would become HyperDamping.

 

Looking Forward

 

Today, HyperDamping products are used in structures around the world and continue to gain momentum in new builds, adaptive reuse projects, and manufacturing facilities. Their technology is helping HVAC and generator manufacturers gain a competitive edge, while architects, engineers, and developers turn to HyperDamping for performance, sustainability, and innovative design.

 

Dr. Harne’s journey—from academic researcher to startup founder and consultant—reflects a deep commitment to applying engineering for real-world impact. His work continues to bridge the gap between advanced science and practical application, helping companies solve noise and vibration challenges with solutions that are as effective as they are elegant.

 

“The purpose of engineering is to create solutions, or value, for people in society,” Dr. Harne shares. “I am passionately devoted to fulfilling this purpose with my life’s work.”

 

Dr. Ryan Harne
Co-Founder
HyperDamping, Inc.
Email: ryan.harne@hyperdamping.com

Website: https://www.hyperdamping.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlharne/