We're running out of helium

[hbarcat]

At the current rate of usage, "the world would run out in 25 years, plus or minus five years," Robert Richardson, a Cornell University physicist who won a Nobel Prize in 1996 for his work with superfluid helium, told a gathering of Nobel laureates in August.

This is troubling news for anyone who uses helium, and that's not just stores selling party balloons.

Anyone getting an MRI depends on helium, whose extremely stable, supercooling properties maintain the scanning machines' superconductive magnets. MRI machines account for more than a quarter of the helium used in the United States; it is also widely used in welding and provides the inert atmosphere necessary to manufacture optical fibers and liquid crystal display (LCD) screens.


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[Stinsok]

Man, where I am going to get a hit so I can sound like "Alvin and The Chipmunks?

 

[Jazz Ad]

We really need to make cold fusion work. Cheap energy and as much helium as we want.

 

[hover]

looks like we're gonna have to start strip-mining other planets ahead of schedule.

Y'all have seen "moon" right? Just clone a dude and start digging.

 

[GeneralElectric]

I blame Bill Clinton for this mess.

 

[hover]

now now...let's not get political here. you'll get a hand slap.

 

[GeneralElectric]

I liked him as a President, but whose idea do you think it was to sell it?

 

[Skeletomania]

You're over sensationalizing the news by paraphrasing the part that makes it seem so dire. What the article said is that the US reserve is running dry, but there are other gas fields around the world that produces helium. What expert suggest is that they should try to recycle the helium once it's used. Also, the gov. should stop undervaluing the price of helium so there will be incentives for private firms to explore new areas within the US for helium.

 

[Brummie]

So that's why it's going up!

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I thought we were at a stage where we were able to use liquid nitrogen for cooling MRI scanners?

A few guys that work in my department (on superconductors) use helium pretty regularly, pretty damned expensive stuff as is, but we've known the supply has been dwindling for years.

 

[Rush-2112]

One of my favorite Big Bang Theory clips

 

[wazzel]

Going to really suck for SAT diving. Good thing I work with ROVs.

 

[Atoz]

 

[Simo98]

25 years, thats plenty of time. We'll be out of oil, fresh water, food, and living space by then as far as I can tell.

 

[ADbassman]

That's alright, still plenty of hot air to go around.

 

[sandmangeck]

I'm just worried we'll run out of nitrous one day

 

[fenderhutz]

I thought that was hydrogen........

 

[DigMe]

So that's why it's going up!

*rimshot*

bc

 

[shadowtippy]

Maki may have to table his plans for the blimp.

 

[Atoz]

I thought that was hydrogen........

...used because the Nazis didn't have any helium.