News | March 10, 2026
First Things First: Why Technical Competence Must Precede AI Literacy for Lawyers
We are pleased to support the launch of a new white paper from Code & Counsel, sponsored by Secretariat and ACEDS.
Dr. Harne’s expertise is in mechanical engineering, with emphasis in the fields of vibration, acoustics, mechanical design, and mechanical aspects of construction (MEP). As a licensed Professional Engineer and lifetime Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Dr. Harne is a trusted expert to solve complex problems pertaining to the design, functioning, and failure of diverse mechanical systems.
He also investigates HVAC- and septic/wastewater-related defects and reported occupational injuries. To this end, Dr. Harne is OSHA 30- and OSHA 510-certified, has earned credentials from the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) for the design of septic and wastewater treatment systems, and is a standing member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Examples of Dr. Harne’s investigations include:
- Vibration and Acoustics: Examined root causes of vibration, shock, and noise, and the impact they have on machines, people, and processes. Investigated community noise and vibration complaints resulting from industrial, commercial, and recreational activity. Assessed audibility of acoustic communication, signals, and warnings from horns, back-up alarms, and alert systems. Investigate functioning and failure of ultrasound and acoustic shockwave-based devices.
- Products: Investigated reported failures of consumer, recreational, and fitness products, medical devices, appliances, tools, manufacturing and distribution equipment, and components of built spaces, such as doors, gates, fences, barriers, and so on. Assessed the roles that such reported failures play on occupational incidents and injuries.
- Construction Defects: Examined reported defects in residential and commercial heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) and in septic systems and wastewater treatment installations.
- Intellectual Property: Investigated matters of infringement, invalidity, and patentability for inventions pertaining to mechanical systems, mechanical designs, and acoustical apparatus.
Before joining Secretariat, Dr. Harne held a variety of roles that contribute to the breadth with which he approaches his investigations. From 2015 to 2023, Dr. Harne was a professor of mechanical engineering and acoustics at The Ohio State University and then at The Pennsylvania State University. At OSU and Penn State, he led cutting-edge research in vibration and acoustics, supported by both industrial partners and national funding agencies, published in the most respectful academic journals in the world, including Nature and Nature Communications, and was popularly regarded for his ability to teach complex topics in mechanical engineering and acoustics in accessible ways for diverse audiences.
In 2018, Dr. Harne co-founded a startup that successfully commercialized intellectual property that he patented related to shock and vibration damping materials. In the process, he collaborated with product teams at numerous multi-national companies for development efforts in markets ranging from acoustical building products, consumer goods and appliances, automotive components, power tools, oil and gas, power generation equipment, HVAC equipment, and medical devices, to name a few. Dr. Harne was named by The Top 100 Magazine as one of the top 100 entrepreneurs and innovators of 2025.