Superconducting RF (SRF) systems typically contain resonances at unwanted frequencies, or higher order modes (HOM). For storage ring and linac applications, these higher modes must be damped by absorbing them in ferrite and other lossy cerami c materials. Typically, these absorbers are brazed to substrates that are often located in the drift tubes adjacent to the SRF cavity. These HOM absorbers must have broadband microwave loss characteristics and must be thermally and mechanically robust, bu t the ferrites and their attachments are weak under tensile and thermal stresses and tend to crack. Based on prior work on HOM loads for high current storage rings and for an ERL injector cryomodule, a HOM absorber with improved materials and design is be ing developed for high-gradient SRF systems. This work will use novel construction techniques (without brazing) to maintain the ferrite in mechanical compression. Attachment techniques to the metal substrates will include process techniques for fully-comp ressed ferrite rings. Prototype structures will be fabricated and tested for mechanical strength under thermal cycling conditions. Show Partial Abstract