We present a simple method of variable temperature process that can potentially enhance the hydrogen storage properties of a large variety of solid state materials. In this approach, hydrogen gas is first introduced at about room temperature, which is followed by a gradual increase to a preset maximum temperature value, T-max. Using this approach, we investigated hydrogen absorption properties of vertically aligned arrays of magnesium nanotrees and nanoblades fabricated by glancing angle deposition (GLAD) technique, and conventional Mg thin film. Weight percentage (wt%) storage values were measured by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). After exposing Mg samples to H-2 at 30 bar and 30 degrees C, dynamic absorption measurements were conducted as the temperature was increased from 30 degrees C to maximum values of T-max = 100, 200, and 300 degrees C all within 150 min. QCM measurements revealed that variable temperature method results in significant improvements in hydrogen storage values over the ones obtained by conventional constant temperature process. At a low effective temperature T-eff = 165 degrees C (T-max = 300 degrees C), we achieved storage values of 6.19, 4.76, and 2.79 wt% for Mg nanotrees, nanoblades, and thin film, respectively. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC.