Yes, Eli,I can understand the meaning you said,but It saw these two sentences in Webster Dictionary, I'm not sure  this kind of usage is norm or rare.

I am afraid that the word  harness does not work in either of these sentences. The word Harness is a word for the set of straps and fittings for a animal that is connected to a plow, cart, etc. Or you can use it as a word to control and make use of different things. For example: He harnessed the energy of the sun to create electricity.