GVSU Alum introduces the HARApad
![Ryan Lillibridge poses with his laptop invention that cuts harmful exposure from laptops](https://lanthorn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/LaptopCancerRGB2.jpg)
Ryan Lillibridge poses with his laptop invention that cuts harmful exposure from laptops
Oct 7, 2010
In a study done for the Bioinitiative Working Group concerning the effects of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) on the body, a group of 14 scientists, public health and public policy experts found that EMR does have biological effects, some of which may lead to loss of wellbeing, disease or even death.
Joining forces with friend Ryan Lillibridge, Grand Valley State University graduate Mark Kramer created HARApad – the Heat And Radiation Attenuating pad. The HARApad blocks EMR emission dually functioning as a safeguard from toasted skin syndrome, which that can lead to permanent skin darkening, by reducing the effects of heat from the laptop. It can also be used as a surface to work on, fitting into almost any laptop case while being additionally dry erasable.
Mark Kramer said he sees an anology between the HARApad and a vitamin. “A vitamin company does not promise to keep their company healthy – instead they advertise what their product does do and the risk of not using it,” he said. “We offer our product as a way to protect against whatever harmful events come as a result from laptop radiation and the heat of a laptop.”
Kramer said the sales of HARApads have satisfied the cofounders, achieving global sales within the first week of its introduction to the market. “Our hopes for the future is to continue to push the HARApad product to make more people aware of this issue,” he said. “Hardly anyone still knows that toasted skin syndrome exists, and we have something that to help them with that.”
The discovery of toasted skin syndrome has doubled the traffic to the company’s website in “a single day.”
“I hope this helps people recognize that other people are looking into it and it should be a priority,” Lillibridge added.
In the future, the group plans to extend its services to protect against other electronic devices like cell phones, which emit more and more radiation as they become more powerful.
HARApad’s are offered at a 30% discount to GV students on the website at HARApad.com with the discount code Grand Valley State University.