An adsorbent assembly for use in an adsorption heating and/or cooling system is described. The adsorbent assembly includes an array of adsorbent articles in which at least one adsorbent article is arranged in at least one of the following compatible arrangements (i)-(iii): (i) in contact with at least one other adsorbent article along matable engagement surfaces of respective contacting articles, with the contacting articles being configured to form a communicating gas flow passage through the contacting articles or at peripheral portions thereof; (ii) in a tube comprising at least one matable engagement surface that is in contact with a complementary matable engagement surface of another tube containing at least one adsorbent article; and (iii) in contact with a deformable foil member that is in contact with at least one other adsorbent article and/or a heat transfer member.