A possible alternative approach to the use of classical damping methods for suppressing resonant vibration is presented in this paper. The work is conceptual in that it demonstrates, in principle, how energy can be transferred to higher harmonics by a non-linear element so as to avoid/minimize resonant behaviour. A single degree of freedom transmissibility system is employed to demonstrate the concept which utilizes a non-linear damping element. The transmitted force spectrum is expressed in terms of the non-linear generalized frequency response functions (up to third order) and it is shown how the energy, at the excitation frequency, is modified via transfer of energy to higher harmonics. The paper then describes experimental results from two materials that display the potential to act as energy transfer materials via the generation of higher harmonics. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.