Forget the Oil Crisis, We're Almost Out of Helium!

[Matt Molnar]

Science Daily:

Helium Supplies Endangered, Threatening Science And Technology

ScienceDaily (Jan. 5, 2008) — In America, helium is running out of gas.

The element that lifts things like balloons, spirits and voice ranges is being depleted so rapidly in the world's largest reserve, outside of Amarillo, Texas, that supplies are expected to be depleted there within the next eight years.

This deflates more than the Goodyear blimp and party favors. Its larger impact is on science and technology, according to Lee Sobotka, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and physics in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.

"Helium's use in science is extremely broad, but its most important use is as a coolant," said Sobotka, a specialist in nuclear chemistry and physics who collaborates with researchers at several national laboratories. Read more...

[PhilDernerJr]

I wonder how much helium they used in the recent production of The Chipmunks. Wasteful.

[Midnight Mike]

Very interesting, I never knew about this, thanks for the post........

[Informant]

I would start buying some stock in helium!

[emshighway]

Oh, they are just full of hot air!!!!!

[Tom_Turner]

We're going to have to get it from the Moon I suppose.

Russians are already planning to do this.

Tom

[pgengler]

I heard about this in connection with the Thanksgiving Parade. In '07, they were experimenting with trying to reclaim helium from the balloons instead of just venting it into the atmosphere.