Save the Helium

1996/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Industria

It looks like a slogan for a campaign and if we keep up with the pace we have so far, we will have to use the shelf! In fact, the use of helium is increasing, which has meant an increase of 10% in recent years. The reason for this growth is that the helium industry is increasingly heavy, but the president of the US Physics Association has not complained about it. According to Robert Park, the helium reserve now needs more protection than Fort Knox gold.

Today helium is used in a multitude of tasks and, as Park says, before it is late you will have to start analyzing the replacement materials. Helium is used, among other things, to perform arc welds, to handle lasers or nuclear reactors, so that divers can stay longer underwater or on space travel. According to the latest report by the US Physics Association, the natural limits of helium are about to exceed. (More information, Elhuyar. Science and Technology, number 99, page 10: First centenary of helium.)