NOVELTY - Hydrogen-generating fuel composition (I) comprises a fuel component comprising a metal hydride, and a liquid that is not reactive with the metal hydride in the absence of a stabilizing agent; and a liquid reactant component comprising water, optionally an additive to lower the pH of the liquid reactant component, optionally a transition metal or rare earth metal catalyst and optionally a phase adjustment additive, where the fuel component is reactive with the liquid reactive component to release hydrogen gas.    USE - (I) is useful for hydrogen generation.    ADVANTAGE - (I) increases the efficiency of a conventional solid metal hydride hydrogen-generating apparatus having a first efficiency. (I) increases the energy density and maximizes the release of hydrogen from chemical metal hydride fuels.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a method of increasing the efficiency of a conventional solid metal hydride hydrogen-generating apparatus having a first efficiency comprising: increasing the surface area of a conventional solid, particulate, palletized, powdered, or agglomerate metal hydride fuel to form an increased surface area metal hydride fuel having a second fuel efficiency; providing the increased surface area metal hydride in a separate compartment of a hydrogen-generating apparatus; providing a predetermined amount of liquid reactant comprising predominantly water; and adding the liquid reactant to the increased surface area metal hydride to create a reaction that generates hydrogen such that the second efficiency is greater than the first efficiency; and    (2) a method for increasing efficiency of a conventional solid metal borohydride hydrogen-generating apparatus comprising: dissolving a solid, particulate, palletized, powdered, or agglomerate metal borohydride fuel in a liquid that is not reactive with the metal borohydride fuel in the absence of a stabilizing agent, so as to form a liquid metal borohydride fuel solution; providing the liquid metal borohydride fuel solution in a separate compartment of a hydrogen-generating apparatus; providing a predetermined amount of liquid reactant comprising predominantly water; and combining the liquid reactant with the liquid metal borohydride fuel solution to create a reaction that generates hydrogen.