99 Dead Balloons

Shortage of natural resources is sadly not a new phenomenon. As we continue down our path of development (a word disputed by sustainability-minded individuals), increasing demand fast outstrips supply. Continually rising oil prices are an obvious testament to that fact. Likewise, the precious metals used in the technology sector have followed a similar trend, and recycling – of computers, mobile phones, and other gadgets – has found new favor given the small but valuable amounts of gold, iridium, and silver that can be “mined”, often by enterprising Asian companies. According to a 2008 study by Japanese recycling firm Yokohama Metal Co Ltd., a tonne of gold mine ore yields 5 grams of gold on average – small fry compared with the 150 gram yield from a tonne of discarded mobile phones (1). No wonder electronics firms are keen to offer free recycling services so readily…

Shortage of natural resources is sadly not a new phenomenon. As we continue down our path of development (a word disputed by sustainability-minded individuals), increasing demand fast outstrips supply. Continually rising oil prices are an obvious testament to that fact. Likewise, the precious metals used in the technology sector have followed a similar trend, and recycling – of computers, mobile phones, and other gadgets – has found new favor given the small but valuable amounts of gold, iridium, and silver that can be “mined”, often by enterprising Asian companies. According to a 2008 study by Japanese recycling firm Yokohama Metal Co Ltd., a tonne of gold mine ore yields 5 grams of gold on average – small fry compared with the 150 gram yield from a tonne of discarded mobile phones (1). No wonder electronics firms are keen to offer free recycling services so readily…

Scrap metal dealers have also made a killing, in particular with copper. And thefts of this once relatively cheap metal from electric and telecommunication hubs has seen a matching ramp up in security – the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) realized the threat to US infrastructure back in 2008. Are we really back to the days of stealing lead from church roofs?

Resource scarcity negatively affects research in an aggressive pincer movement: mandatory sequestration by once robust governments (2) and the increasing costs of capital and consumable equipment.

Yet, despite the world as we know it crumbling around us , it seems somewhat surprising that helium, the second most abundant element in the observable universe and a gas found in the very air we breathe (albeit in very small amounts), should face the same fate. And while children’s birthday parties will certainly be less buoyant in the future and hilarious squeaky voices may be a thing of the past, those still reliant on the inert carrier gas in GC applications face more serious consequences as helium supplies become increasingly erratic (read: more expensive). “Space mining” suddenly starts looking less silly (3).

At Pittcon 2013, Bruker announced two new helium-free GC platforms (Scion 436 and 456) that safely replace helium with hydrogen. Earlier this year, Agilent sponsored a webinar: “Converting helium carrier gas GC methods to nitrogen and hydrogen” – both surely signs of things to come.

In other areas of science research, especially where superconductors are essential, the problem has a more profound impact. According to Mark Stokes, a cognitive neuroscientist at Oxford’s Centre for Human Brain Activity, helium is irreplaceable for his work: “Magnetoencephalogram (MEG) systems are based on superconducting sensors at near-absolute zero – liquid helium is the only element that can be used to maintain this critical operating temperature.” Current MEG systems require weekly refills of liquid helium and, given the lack of an alternative, are very vulnerable to disruptions in supply. Stokes continues: “MRI, which is also essential for our research (and of course medical diagnostics), also depends on an annual supply of helium. If there was a prolonged disruption in helium supplies, it would have serious consequences for both research and medical practice.” It would appear that the time for change is now.