(EP958628-A1)      An article (10) comprising a containment means consisting of pressurised gas filled microbubbles (16) on one of an adherent layer (14) on a support (12), a porous web and a polymer. The gas being releasable under control on demand by fracturing the microbubbles. Claimed are microbubbles bonded to an adherent layer and free flowing microbubbles contained within a holder. Also claimed are the article for supplying hydrogen or oxygen to an electrochemical power device, a method for delivering a gas at a controlled rate in which the article comprises a holder, envelope bag, adherent layer on a support and a network of fibres as containment means for the gas filled microbubbles and an apparatus for delivering gas at a controlled rate including a feedback and control means for releasing gas to an electrochemical power device at a controlled rate determined by a load.    USE -   A fuel or oxidant storage and delivery system to supply electrochemical power devices such as fuel cells and chemical batteries particularly those used in portable power applications, for example hydrogen/air fuel cell replacement of rechargeable batteries used in portable computers, camcorders and the like or for powering remote sensing devices.    ADVANTAGE -   An electrochemical or chemical reactant is provided in a safe high gravimetric energy density format, potentially over 4 percent by weight hydrogen or proportionately higher for other gases, or 700 Watt.hour/kg when supplying a hydrogen/air fuel cell that operates at ambient temperature. The supply of gas can be easily and repeatedly stopped and restarted and the article containing the gas filled microbubbles can have a shelf life of years. Fuel supply systems using the storage, delivery and release articles provide large safety margins in fuel, storage and delivery, operating temperatures near ambient and fast recharge. The articles are particularly useful to supply fuel to a portable power device such as a fuel cell or a thermochemical generator. Compared to tank or hydride storage means for hydrogen the pressurised microbubbles and carrier delivery system offers lighter weight and safer handling and recharging of a portable power device.    (JP2001505284-W)      An article (10) comprising a containment means consisting of pressurised gas filled microbubbles (16) on one of an adherent layer (14) on a support (12), a porous web and a polymer. The gas being releasable under control on demand by fracturing the microbubbles. Claimed are microbubbles bonded to an adherent layer and free flowing microbubbles contained within a holder. Also claimed are the article for supplying hydrogen or oxygen to an electrochemical power device, a method for delivering a gas at a controlled rate in which the article comprises a holder, envelope bag, adherent layer on a support and a network of fibres as containment means for the gas filled microbubbles and an apparatus for delivering gas at a controlled rate including a feedback and control means for releasing gas to an electrochemical power device at a controlled rate determined by a load.    USE -   A fuel or oxidant storage and delivery system to supply electrochemical power devices such as fuel cells and chemical batteries particularly those used in portable power applications, for example hydrogen/air fuel cell replacement of rechargeable batteries used in portable computers, camcorders and the like or for powering remote sensing devices.    ADVANTAGE -   An electrochemical or chemical reactant is provided in a safe high gravimetric energy density format, potentially over 4 percent by weight hydrogen or proportionately higher for other gases, or 700 Watt.hour/kg when supplying a hydrogen/air fuel cell that operates at ambient temperature. The supply of gas can be easily and repeatedly stopped and restarted and the article containing the gas filled microbubbles can have a shelf life of years. Fuel supply systems using the storage, delivery and release articles provide large safety margins in fuel, storage and delivery, operating temperatures near ambient and fast recharge. The articles are particularly useful to supply fuel to a portable power device such as a fuel cell or a thermochemical generator. Compared to tank or hydride storage means for hydrogen the pressurised microbubbles and carrier delivery system offers lighter weight and safer handling and recharging of a portable power device.