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Helium, a crucial yet often overlooked gas, plays a vital role in modern science, healthcare, and technology. But recent shortages have disrupted many industries, including research labs, hospitals, and tech companies. The scarcity of helium has underscored its importance, as well as the risks that come with relying on a finite resource.

In 2022, Nancy Washton, a researcher at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, faced a challenging situation when her team’s helium supply was severely reduced. Typically, the lab receives around 2,500 liters (660 gallons) of helium each year to support vital research equipment. But due to a global helium shortage, deliveries dropped by over half that year, leaving Washton’s team with less than half of the usual supply. The shortage was the result of a mix of geopolitical issues, maintenance shutdowns, and increased global demand.

One of the primary pieces of equipment affected by the shortage was a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. This massive instrument is crucial for studying materials that could improve future energy storage and battery technology. It was thanks to the spectrometer that Washton and her colleagues were able to discover the potential of magnesium oxide to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere—a breakthrough in climate change mitigation. However, due to the helium shortage, the spectrometer was unable to operate at full capacity, bringing the team’s work to a halt.

The situation was described as “traumatic” by Washton. Her team had to shut down the instrument for months, waiting for the supply of helium to stabilize. Although the spectrometer is back online today, its future is uncertain, and scientists are increasingly concerned about the volatility of helium availability.

Helium’s Quiet Role in Modern Life

Though it is often taken for granted, helium is an indispensable part of modern life. Helium is non-reactive and becomes a liquid at extremely low temperatures, making it the ideal coolant for sensitive instruments. Space agencies rely on helium to cool equipment and ensure the proper pressurization of rocket tanks. Hospitals use it to cool the magnets in MRI scanners, while particle physicists use it to power the superconducting magnets in large particle colliders like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN.

Helium’s lightness makes it the gas of choice for inflating balloons, airships, and weather devices. Additionally, it is mixed with oxygen for deep-sea divers to help prevent decompression sickness.

In 2022, however, the helium shortage affected not only research labs but also critical sectors like healthcare and technology. Medical institutions, which use more than 30% of the world’s helium for MRI machines, found themselves struggling to secure enough supply. Electronics manufacturers also faced challenges, as helium is essential in the production of semiconductors—vital components used in computers, smartphones, and even vehicles.

A Global Crisis Fueled by Geopolitical Tensions

Helium shortages have occurred several times over the past 20 years, but the 2022 crisis was especially severe. Several geopolitical factors contributed to the global helium shortage, including fires at Russia’s Amur gas plant, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and maintenance stoppages at Qatar’s major helium plant. Meanwhile, the United States closed its National Helium Reserve enrichment plant, eliminating 10% of the world’s helium supply.

The effects were felt globally. By 2023, helium prices nearly doubled compared to the previous five years. In September 2024, the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia, which included a ban on helium imports. Although Russia supplied only 1% of Europe’s helium, this added more strain to an already stressed supply chain.

Meanwhile, the U.S. sold its longstanding helium reserve to Germany’s Messer Group. The sale raised concerns about the stability of helium distribution, especially among U.S. hospitals that rely on helium for MRI scans. Shortly after the sale, Messer sought legal protection due to lease disputes, though the company claims production continued without interruption. Experts have warned that disruptions in the U.S. helium supply could lead to global shortages and hamper critical services worldwide.

Searching for Solutions: Innovation and Conservation

The ongoing helium shortage has prompted efforts to find alternative sources and reduce helium consumption. Some solutions have focused on conservation and improving recovery techniques. For example, new MRI machines use only one liter of helium, which is sealed in a closed system to reduce waste. However, these machines remain expensive and account for a small portion of the global market.

Other labs are investing in helium recovery systems that capture the gas before it evaporates. Mississippi State University, for example, has installed a system that recaptures 90% of its helium usage. These systems can be costly to set up and maintain, but they offer long-term benefits by reducing reliance on external helium sources.

Despite these efforts, the global helium shortage remains a critical issue. New helium discoveries could help alleviate some of the pressure. Qatar is planning to launch a new helium plant by 2027, while Tanzania has found a major helium deposit, with extraction set to begin in 2025. This discovery marks the first intentionally located helium field in history.

In addition, China has identified helium reserves in the Bohai Bay Basin, providing hope for a more stable supply in the future. However, as Christopher Ballentine from Oxford University notes, finding large helium reserves requires significant investment and long lead times, making it a difficult and slow process.

The High Stakes of Helium Shortages

The scarcity of helium has far-reaching implications. Without sufficient helium, hospitals might struggle to perform essential medical procedures like MRIs. Furthermore, research into technologies such as clean energy storage and climate change mitigation could be delayed or halted altogether. Washton’s team at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory serves as a reminder of how fragile these systems are.

“We need to act before helium becomes a resource that we can’t get,” Washton warns. “If helium disappears, people might lose access to life-saving MRI scans.”

As the world grapples with the helium shortage, it has become clear that this essential gas is not just a convenience but a necessity. Finding ways to conserve helium, discover new sources, and reduce reliance on it will be critical in ensuring that industries and hospitals worldwide can continue functioning.