Abstract: A method of storing a gas comprises absorbing a gas into or onto an absorbent medium, in one example by cryosorbing the gas. The cryosorbed gas is then encapsulated. Encapsulating the cryosorbed gas increases the temperature at which the absorbent medium can be kept before the cryosorbed gas is released. The encapsulation layer can be provided by freezing a material that has a lower vapour pressure than the gas. One suitable material for forming the encapsulation layer in this way is water.

Abstract: A method of storing a gas comprises absorbing a gas into or onto an absorbent medium, in one example by cryosorbing the gas. The cryosorbed gas is then encapsulated.

Abstract: Cracker apparatus has a feedstock vessel for gaseous crackable substances, a dispenser which receives the gaseous crackable substances from the feedstock vessel and a cracker which receives the gaseous crackable substances from the dispenser. The vessel surfaces, dispenser surfaces and cracker surfaces that contact the gaseous crackable substances are suitably inert and can be made of quartz.

Abstract: An ion source comprising an electrode consisting of at least one body made of a material such as to be perfectly wetted by a liquid material ions of which are to be emitted by the source and not corrodible by that material, and having a termination the radius of curvature of which is such that a jet of the liquid material will form and be anchored to the termination of the electrode under the influence of an electric field, means for applying the ionizing electric field and a reservoir for the material ions of which are to be emitted by the source.