Helium, the lightest noble gas, plays a key role in many of the world’s most essential technologies. However, its supply is becoming increasingly unstable, and researchers like Nancy Washton are feeling the impact. Washton, a scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, had her team’s helium delivery suddenly canceled in early 2022. This disruption exposed a growing issue that is affecting industries and research worldwide.
A Critical Resource for Research
Washton’s team had been relying on helium to power their nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, an essential tool for molecular analysis. The spectrometer required large amounts of helium, and with the lab receiving less than half of its usual supply, they had to make tough decisions. The lab usually received 2,500 liters of helium per month, but by April 2022, they were left with significantly less.
Without enough helium, Washton’s team had to prioritize which instruments would continue to operate. The spectrometer, which had just started delivering groundbreaking insights, was shut down. This machine had produced vital data on magnesium oxide’s ability to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a process called carbon mineralization. The research held great promise for addressing climate change, but with the helium shortage, that progress came to a halt.
“We had never seen carbonates on these samples before,” Washton said. “The data amazed me. The findings told a beautiful story.” However, the shortage forced the spectrometer offline. It remained inactive for months, and although it has since resumed, its future reliability is uncertain.
The Widespread Impact of Helium Shortages
Helium’s role goes far beyond research labs like Washton’s. The gas is crucial for a variety of technologies that power industries we rely on every day. Its ultra-low boiling point and inert nature make it indispensable in cooling systems, pressurization, and more.
In the space industry, helium is used to cool instruments and purge rocket engines. It is also used to pressurize rocket tanks and cool particle accelerator components, such as those at CERN. Helium is equally essential in the medical field. MRI scanners, which are found in hospitals around the world, depend on helium to maintain the superconducting magnets that allow them to function. Hospitals account for 32% of global helium consumption.
Helium is also vital in semiconductor manufacturing, where it is used during the production of the small chips that power modern electronics. It is present in airbags, welding systems, and even weather balloons. Deep-sea divers rely on helium-oxygen mixes to avoid decompression sickness, further showcasing the versatility of this gas.
The Science Behind Helium’s Vital Role
Helium’s properties make it a uniquely valuable element. Unlike hydrogen, which is flammable, helium is safe and non-combustible. It becomes a liquid at extremely low temperatures, and it cannot freeze under normal atmospheric conditions. These traits make helium perfect for use in environments that require stable, efficient cooling.
Helium also exhibits unique properties when cooled to very low temperatures. It becomes a superfluid that flows without friction, a phenomenon that is crucial for the operation of large machines, like CERN’s particle collider. This superfluid behavior allows helium to play a vital role in technologies that depend on high-performance magnets.
However, despite its importance, helium supplies are dwindling. Since 2006, the world has experienced several major helium shortages, with the most recent shortage beginning in early 2022. This latest shortage revealed deep flaws in the global helium supply chain, which has been unable to keep up with growing demand.
The Global Helium Supply Crisis
The demand for helium has been growing rapidly, especially with advancements in semiconductor production, electric vehicles, and aerospace engineering. Unfortunately, helium is a rare resource. It is only naturally created through two processes: fusion in stars and the radioactive decay of elements deep underground. As a result, it is a byproduct of natural gas extraction.
There are only a few companies that extract helium, and even then, much of it escapes into space after use. The gas’s extreme lightness allows it to leak from Earth’s atmosphere, making it difficult to contain. Once it escapes, it is nearly impossible to retrieve, which only adds to the challenge of managing its supply.
The Future of Helium
The global helium shortage has raised concerns about the future of industries that rely on this gas. As the supply continues to decrease, companies and researchers may face more disruptions, leading to delays in important projects and technology development.
The shortage has also highlighted the need for more sustainable solutions to helium production. Scientists and industry leaders are calling for more efficient extraction processes and better ways to store and manage helium. However, these solutions will take time to implement, and for now, many industries and researchers will have to navigate an uncertain future.
A Critical Issue for the Future
As the world’s reliance on helium grows, so too does the urgency to address its supply challenges. The recent shortages have underscored just how vital this seemingly small element is to the functioning of modern society. Whether it’s enabling scientific breakthroughs, powering medical equipment, or supporting space exploration, helium plays a critical role in many of the technologies we depend on.
Researchers like Nancy Washton are feeling the pressure, but they are not alone. The global helium shortage is a challenge that will continue to affect multiple industries for years to come. It is essential for governments, companies, and researchers to work together to find sustainable solutions and ensure the future availability of this vital resource.