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

Helium Shortage and its Impact

The article discusses the recurring global helium shortages and their impact on various sectors. It highlights the vulnerability of helium supplies and the urgent need for conservation and recycling efforts.

Causes of the Shortage

Helium's limited sources (stellar nuclear fusion and radioactive decay in Earth's crust) and the fragility of the supply chain, which has experienced four worldwide shortages in the last two decades, are key factors. The recent EU sanctions on Russian helium imports, even though only 1% of EU imports, further complicate the situation.

Impacts Across Industries

The shortage affects various sectors, including:

• Research: Experiments were halted due to a lack of helium, highlighting the impact on scientific research, particularly in fields like materials science.
• Healthcare: Hospitals, the largest consumers of helium (32% of global market), rely on it for MRI scanners; a shortage affects diagnostic capabilities.
• Technology: Helium is crucial in semiconductor and electric vehicle battery manufacturing, and aerospace applications.

The article notes that helium's unique properties – low boiling point, inertness, and non-flammability – make it indispensable.

Solutions and Future Outlook

Strategies to mitigate future shortages include:

• Helium recycling: Recovery systems recapture evaporated helium, improving efficiency, though implementation is costly and complex.
• New Helium Sources: Qatar plans a new plant by 2027; a large reserve was found in Tanzania, set to start production in 2025; further reserves are in China's Bohai Bay Basin.

However, finding and developing new sources requires significant investment and time. The article concludes that the exhaustible nature of helium and the potential for future disruptions warrant urgent action.