Helium articles

mri medical helium medicine medical science medical care magnetic resonance imaging

A global helium shortage has doctors concerned about a squeeze on MRIs

In context: Helium is an element that most of us take for granted. We use it to float birthday balloons. It is also a component in some electronics, such as helium-filled hard drives. Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) machines use liquid helium for superconducting magnets. Unfortunately, the earth is running out of this essential element.