AkaSci 🛰️4d ago

The war on Iran has created a shortage of Helium, which plays a critical role in semiconductor manufacturing and in medical equipment such as MRI machines.

Helium is mostly produced as a byproduct of LNG production.

Following retaliation strikes by Iran, Qatar has halted most of its LNG production in the country, which has led to a suspension of helium production as well. Qatar supplies a third of the world’s helium.

https://lnginnorthernbc.ca/2026/03/22/war-in-iran-creates-shortage-of-helium-vital-for-semiconductors/
#UsPol
1/n

Show threadRay McCarthy4d ago
@AkaSci
The "toy" balloons filled with helium are a waste.
Show threadDr. Sobek4d ago
@raymaccarthy @AkaSci Hopefully the situation will make all of them disappear quickly as the price of helium go high ?
Show threadbluestarultor4d ago

@Sobex @raymaccarthy @AkaSci They've been a waste for a very long time, ever since Congress voted to get rid of our helium reserves in the '70s or something 1996, apparently (wow, do I feel like an idiot XD).

Hydrogen floats just fine and is easily produced with hydrolysis. Just keep it away from the birthday candles unless you want the balloon to get your wish. XD

National Helium Reserve - Wikipedia

Show threadDr. Sobek4d ago

@bluestarultor @raymaccarthy @AkaSci Hmm, I wonder from a safety point of view how dangerous would be a flying balloon filled with H2. (From a kaboom & fire hazard perspective)

(In practice we have 1 bar of pressure, in a volume of 4 L, at 20°C, so P = 10^5, V = 4 * 10-3

T = ~300 K
R = 8.314

n = 400/(300*8.314) = 0.16 mol of H2.

Show threadbluestarultor4d ago
@Sobex @raymaccarthy @AkaSci If you mean a dirigible, the Hindenburg technically killed more people by crushing them than by burning and it didn't outright explode. But I have to wonder if really any such craft are in common use regardless. Doing a bit of digging on Wikipedia, Goodyear only has 4 Goodyear Blimps, none for public enjoyment. It seems like it's been a decade since they were in use for any sort of passenger transport. Mostly they seem to be used for military recon and signage.
Show threadDr. Sobek4d ago

@bluestarultor @raymaccarthy @AkaSci Nah, I'm talking about a kids birthday party / disneyland floating thingy.

(The Hindenburg definitely contained more than 4L of H2)

Show threadRay McCarthy
@Sobex @[email protected] @AkaSci
Nevil Shute may have worked on and travelled on the R100. R101 used hydrogen as the USA would not sell helium.
The idea was airships to link the British Empire, but 1918 was the peak and it was gone in 1948.
Mar 22 at 3:51pmWeb