By Garrett Seeley
I have a confession: I am a major news junkie. The happenings of the world fascinate me, and as someone employed by the government and with a son in the service, I tend to pay close attention to current events. One issue that caught my eye recently is the helium shortage caused by conflicts in the Persian Gulf. While many know that helium is important, fewer understand its critical role in electronics and other industries. Allow me to explain.
IMPORTANCE OF HELIUM
Helium is much more than a gas used to fill balloons. It is non-reactive and serves as a great insulator. As the lightest of the noble gases, it is incredibly difficult to contain because its small molecules can escape through materials like rubber. This is why balloons deflate after only a few days of holding it. This property is utilized in medical devices such as cardiac balloon pumps. These devices use a small helium-filled balloon inserted into a patient’s aortic arch. The balloon inflates and deflates in sync with the patient’s heartbeat, aiding the heart in pumping blood. Helium is chosen because it diffuses into the blood without causing air embolisms and is safely expelled by the lungs. Using carbon dioxide instead of helium could cause hypercapnia, a medical condition resulting from excessive CO₂ in the blood. Therefore, the non-reactive nature and high diffusion property make helium, not CO2, the preferred gas for direct vascular work.
HELIUM IN ELECTRONICS
Helium’s non-reactivity also makes it essential in the semiconductor industry. It is used as an insulator during the etching and depositing processes to create ultra-small transistors on a microchip. These processes require an environment free of contaminants. Helium displaces other gases, ensuring that the conditions remain pure, which is crucial because any contamination can ruin a transistor. The slightest mistake renders the entire microchip unusable. Manufacturing yields can be as low as 50% even with ultra-pure helium, but the best manufacturers achieve yields of around 80%. This leads to less waste and less expensive, more reliable products. This is significant because of the value that even a low complexity chip brings to everyday devices. These chips are vital components in virtually every medical device. Ultimately, helium contributes to all industries by helping make the components that make other things work.
HELIUM AS A COOLANT
Despite its low thermal conductivity, helium is also used as a coolant because it has the lowest boiling point of any element. In quantum computing, the helium isotope He-3 keeps systems at approximately 3.1 Kelvin (-269.9°C), just 3 degrees above absolute zero. This is critical for maintaining the conditions required for quantum processes. In MRI machines, liquid helium cools the main superconducting magnet. This superconductor, often made from titanium and niobium, operates at 4 Kelvin. Liquid helium maintains the stability of the MRI’s magnetic field. During a quench, the helium rapidly converts to gas and is vented out as it expands to about 700 times its liquid volume. This displacement of oxygen can create low-oxygen situations, underscoring the importance of routine inspections of MRI cooling and venting systems.
CURRENT HELIUM SHORTAGE
Recent conflicts in the Persian Gulf, specifically affecting Qatar, have disrupted a significant portion of the global helium supply. Qatar’s helium production is a crucial part of the world’s supply, and the conflict threatens up to 35% of this supply. Currently, the actual loss is closer to 30% of Qatar’s production or about 10% of the global supply, but this could increase. Damage to natural gas resources and shipping concerns could exacerbate the situation.
Despite these challenges, new helium production initiatives have somewhat stabilized the market. Since the peak prices in 2024, helium costs have dropped by almost 90%. Increasing production, reducing medical usage (particularly in MRI systems) and recycling efforts have helped maintain supply levels. The United States and Russia, major helium producers, can absorb global demand for now. However, concerns about long-term supply stability, increased demand and potential price fluctuations remain.
CONCLUSION
The helium shortage caused by Persian Gulf conflicts highlights the element’s critical role in various industries. From medical devices and semiconductor manufacturing to cooling systems in quantum computing and MRI machines, helium’s unique properties make it indispensable. While recent developments have mitigated some of the immediate impacts, the situation underscores the need for continued production, recycling and efficient resource management.
In the meantime, it’s important to understand where key vulnerabilities lie and to prepare for potential changes. By staying informed and proactive, we can navigate these challenges and ensure the continued availability of this vital resource.
Garrett Seeley is a BMES Imaging Specialist with VISN 17: VA North Texas Health Care System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
