Question about the helium shortage

[cdface]

Mmm, a few hundred pounds of liquid He.

Here's a crappy video I took last week while we were filling an MR magnet. Care to guess what's dripping?

 

[Showtimeljs]

Helium also plays a critical role in cooling down large magnets (MRI, NMR, particle accelerators) which is part of the reason why warmer super conductors are needed. I know most of the big research institutions have a helium scavenging process to minimize loss.

These machines are greedy SOBs. We have used the equivalent of about 3 million liters of helium gas keeping just 1 instrument cooled at work over the past 9 years. They are now selling a version that doesn't require the liquid helium to cool it.

 

[SpokaneCY]

It blows my mind helium balloons still exist when there's such a finite supply of helium and how important it is to medical equipment. It's really quite absurd and a fine example human shortsightedness.

Clown lobby is VERY powerful...

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

It blows my mind helium balloons still exist when there's such a finite supply of helium and how important it is to medical equipment. It's really quite absurd and a fine example human shortsightedness.

Don't **** with people's benefits and childhood.

 

[baller21]

If it’s so rare and valuable than how is it still affordable?

 

[madguy30]

That might have been the worst "informative" YouTube video I've ever seen.

...or depending how you look at it, it could have been one of the best.

 

[ArgentCy]

These machines are greedy SOBs. We have used the equivalent of about 3 million liters of helium gas keeping just 1 instrument cooled at work over the past 9 years. They are now selling a version that doesn't require the liquid helium to cool it.

The machines aren't greedy. 4K is freaking damn cold.