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Helium is the element that makes your voice squeak and got David Blaine over the Arizona desert. 
Some ppl think that we'll run out of it within decades. Others disagree.
But there's one thing for sure: you probably don't know how valuable it is.
A thread about element #2
Some ppl think that we'll run out of it within decades. Others disagree.
But there's one thing for sure: you probably don't know how valuable it is.
A thread about element #2
Let's take a trip back to chemistry 101. 
Helium is a noble gas and naturally takes thousands of years to synthesize. Its unique composition makes it:
1. Nonreactive
2. Nonflammable
3. Nonpoisonous
But it's also light AF. Once extracted, it rises into space, unretrievable.
Helium is a noble gas and naturally takes thousands of years to synthesize. Its unique composition makes it:
1. Nonreactive
2. Nonflammable
3. Nonpoisonous
But it's also light AF. Once extracted, it rises into space, unretrievable.
Helium's unique properties mean its often ~irreplaceable.
It plays a part in the production of:
- Rocket engines
- Fiber optics
- Semiconductors
- Commercial driving
- Microscopes
- Welding
- And much more
Basically, if you're innovating, you're probably using Helium.
It plays a part in the production of:
- Rocket engines
- Fiber optics
- Semiconductors
- Commercial driving
- Microscopes
- Welding
- And much more
Basically, if you're innovating, you're probably using Helium.
Perhaps the most important property of Helium:
It boils at 4K!
You know how cold that is? -452°F or -269°C
The coldest day registered in Antarctica was -89.2°C!
This property makes its liquid form key to MRI & NMR devices, enabling stability in semiconducting materials.
It boils at 4K!
You know how cold that is? -452°F or -269°C
The coldest day registered in Antarctica was -89.2°C!
This property makes its liquid form key to MRI & NMR devices, enabling stability in semiconducting materials.
The USA produces a majority of the Helium worldwide.
The US gov's interest started during the civil war, when Helium lifted military devices above battlefields.
Recognizing its importance, the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 reserved all production for the federal government.
The US gov's interest started during the civil war, when Helium lifted military devices above battlefields.
Recognizing its importance, the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 reserved all production for the federal government.
But that's changed since.
In 1960, Congress amended the Helium Act, allowing private companies to produce & sell. Excess was sold to the gov.
And in 1996, Clinton passed the The Helium Privatization Act, directing the bureau to stop producing helium and... sell the stockpile.
In 1960, Congress amended the Helium Act, allowing private companies to produce & sell. Excess was sold to the gov.
And in 1996, Clinton passed the The Helium Privatization Act, directing the bureau to stop producing helium and... sell the stockpile.
Since selling the stockpile in '05, the Federal Helium Program has returned ~$2B to the Treasury, with the remaining supply set to be sold soon.
With Helium production unregulated and privatized, what can we expect? Are we really going to "run out" of Helium? If so, when?
With Helium production unregulated and privatized, what can we expect? Are we really going to "run out" of Helium? If so, when?
Some have warned: a few decades. But others say that as price increases, other options become economical (ex: nuclear)
As context, it costs 10,000x more to extract from air vs current techniques.
We'll never fully run out of He, but prices may rise enough to cripple innovation.
As context, it costs 10,000x more to extract from air vs current techniques.
We'll never fully run out of He, but prices may rise enough to cripple innovation.
