Hyphen Innovations Aims To Disrupt Markets With AM-Enabled Vibration Dampening Technology

Dayton, Ohio, has been a hotbed for innovation ever since Wilbur and Orville Wright flew a biplane kite in 1899. Today, a new area startup, Hyphen Innovations, could usher in a new era of innovation for turbine engine blade manufacturing and repair using i-DAMP technology, or Inherent Damping via Additive Manufacturing Processes.

“With i-DAMP, all we need is 1-4% of unfused powder within a component to be able to suppress vibration by as much as 95%,” says founder Onome Scott-Emuakpor, Ph.D., who started his career at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base at the Air Force Research Laboratory 23 years ago. 

“After situations such as a bird strike, you may be able to still operate without failure until you get to your next destination with i-DAMP,” Scott-Emuakpor says. “For parts that are inspected quite frequently for maintenance, repair and overhaul, you can extend inspection intervals by up to two times, which would save billions of dollars annually for the aerospace and defense industry.”

Just 16 months into full operation, Hyphen has already been selected for nearly $1 million in contracts. In addition, Hyphen is conducting research using a microturbine engine to double its thrust.

“One of the reasons why we’re getting into hybrid turbine engines is to combat some of the challenges in urban air mobility where a lot of the customers are looking for systems that can travel about 300 miles,” Scott-Emuakpor says. He views Hyphen as a disruptor because, where larger companies advance technology at the rate at which consumers request it, they are moving ahead of consumer demand. 

“We believe that certain aerospace, maritime and automotive components can perform better than what’s currently out there,” Scott-Emuakpor adds. “Our strategy is to work with a select few of the large companies so that when it’s time to disrupt, we essentially have top cover. A lot of what I do is find big brothers who like Hyphen Innovations.” 

So far, that includes GE Aerospace, Siemens (booths #133249 and #236217) and EOS (booth #432302). The company also works with Laser Fusion Solutions, one of the premier AM experts within the Dayton area. 

“Partnering with them shortens our learning curve and reduces the necessary in-house resources,” Scott-Emuakpor says. In-house equipment includes an M450 laser wire-directed energy deposition AM system from Meltio (IMTS booth #432217) and a Creaform HandySCAN 3D laser scanner (IMTS booth #134250).  

Premier Networking Event

Part of a researcher’s job is to make connections to spread the word about their efforts, and that includes participating in trade shows.

“IMTS is not just the people. It’s the different industries that all play into manufacturing,” Scott-Emuakpor says. “It’s a premier place to go to network, to do business development, to expand the capability and the reach of what Hyphen Innovations can do. Further, the Additive Manufacturing Sector at IMTS was probably one of the most diverse and largest that I’ve seen. IMTS is a one-stop shop for anybody who is into additive manufacturing.”

Network and explore the vast world of manufacturing technology at IMTS 2024, Sept. 9-14, located at McCormick Place, in Chicago, Illinois. Register at IMTS.com/Register.