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The U.S. just sold its helium stockpile. Here’s why the medical world is worried. (www.nbcnews.com)

submitted 9 months ago by Five@slrpnk.net to c/news@beehaw.org

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[–] jarfil@beehaw.org 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

According to the OP article:

Both Philips and Siemens Healthineers recently started selling alternatives to traditional MRI machines, which hold 1,700 to 1,800 liters of liquid helium and require constant replenishment.

Some models now require just 1 to 7 liters of helium and don’t need any replenishment.

That could mean a much lower usage, and a much longer timespan for the supply.

[–] squaresinger@feddit.de 3 points 9 months ago

That would indeed be very helpful. But if all the other usages keep draining the supply, it will only help extend artificial reserves.