The world keeps running out of helium. There is now a race to prepare for the next shortage

Helium is a very light and special gas that we use in many important ways, but it is running out. In early 2022, Nancy Washton, a scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in the United States, received some troubling news. Her lab was informed that they would not be getting their usual delivery of helium, which they needed for various experiments. This news was alarming because helium is crucial for the operation of many scientific instruments. Normally, the lab would receive around 2,500 liters of helium, but by April of that year, they were getting less than half of what they required. This shortage forced the lab to make difficult decisions about which instruments to keep running. One of the most important machines was a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, a large device that helps scientists study the structure of atoms. This spectrometer was unique in North America and had already provided groundbreaking results in the study of materials like magnesium oxide, which could lead to advancements in battery technology. However, when the helium supply dwindled, the lab had to stop using the spectrometer, which Washton described as a 'traumatizing' experience. Helium is not just important for scientific research; it plays a vital role in many everyday products and processes. Hospitals are the largest consumers of helium, using it to cool the magnets in MRI machines, which are essential for diagnosing medical conditions. Helium is also used in the production of semiconductors, which are crucial for electronic devices, as well as in welding and even in car safety airbags. The gas is odorless, extremely light, and safe to use, unlike hydrogen, which can be flammable. Helium has a very low boiling point, making it useful for cooling applications. The recent shortages of helium have highlighted how vulnerable our supplies are and have sparked a global effort to find ways to conserve and recycle this essential gas. The shortages in 2022 were not just a problem for researchers; they affected many industries and everyday life. The demand for helium is expected to increase in the coming years, especially with its importance in semiconductor manufacturing and electric vehicle batteries. There are only two natural sources of helium: the sun and the slow decay of radioactive elements in the earth. Since we cannot artificially create helium, it is a finite resource. Most helium is extracted from natural gas, but only a few companies are involved in this process. The extraction of fossil fuels has also led to a depletion of helium reserves, and because helium is so light, it can escape into space. This makes the helium supply chain fragile, leading to multiple shortages over the past two decades. The most recent shortage in 2022 was exacerbated by issues in Russia and Qatar, which affected global supplies. The price of helium has skyrocketed due to these shortages, and even though production has increased, there are still concerns about future availability. In September 2024, new sanctions on Russia further complicated the situation, tightening supplies even more. The sale of the US Federal Helium Reserve in 2024 raised additional concerns about the stability of helium supplies. Hospitals and researchers are now looking for ways to reduce their helium consumption. New MRI machines that require less helium are being developed, and some researchers are exploring helium recovery systems that can capture evaporated helium. These systems could potentially recover a significant amount of helium, helping to alleviate some of the supply issues. However, implementing these systems can be complex and costly. There are also new helium sources being explored, such as a new plant in Qatar and a helium field discovered in Tanzania. While these developments are promising, finding enough helium to meet the growing demand remains a significant challenge. Scientists are urging that we take the issue of helium supply seriously, as it could have far-reaching implications for medical procedures and technological advancements.