New find of helium means MRI scanners — and party balloons — not in danger
A TANZANIAN helium find has allayed fears of a global shortage of the precious gas.Despite the fact that it accounts for about 24% of the atoms in the universe‚ helium is rare on earth because it is the second-lightest element on the periodic table — so once it is released it can readily escape into space.It does not just make your voice squeak — it is also crucial for running things such as brain scanners and scientific facilities. For example, liquid helium is important if you want to cool off your superconducting magnets‚ because it forms at -269°C — the coldest of all the elements."There is no substitute for helium in cryogenic applications if temperatures below -269°C are required‚" according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).It is so crucial in MRI machines that some doctors have proposed banning its use in party balloons."All of the other elements we’ve scattered around the globe‚ maybe we can go digging in garbage dumps to get them back‚" chemist Andrea Sella‚ of University...
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