Passive energy dissipation devices have the potential to increase the seismic resistance of a structure by increasing its capability to dissipate energy and by reducing the seismic demand on the structure. They offer particular promise for seismic retrofitting as well as extensive applications in new construction. This paper describes and compares earthquake simulator tests of four new types of passive energy dissipators that were performed at the Earthquake Engineering Research Center of the University of California at Berkeley. The four types of energy dissipator are a Coulomb friction damper; a self-centering friction device in which the slip load is proportional to the slip displacement; a viscoelastic shear damper; and a shape memory alloy. Two different model structures were used in the experimental studies, and the energy dissipators were incorporated as part of the bracing systems of the structures.