Helium-3 Shortage Looms
Helium-3, a rare gas, is in high demand for quantum computing and nuclear fusion, but its main source from nuclear weapons may not meet future needs, prompting a search for new sources
Key points
- Lancaster University stores helium-3 in a laboratory, with a single liter costing around $2,000
- The gas has applications in quantum computing and nuclear fusion, with potential demand exceeding current supply from nuclear weapons
- Tens of thousands of liters of helium-3 are produced annually from the decay of tritium in nuclear weapons
- Researchers and entrepreneurs are seeking new sources, including extraction from the ground, due to concerns over future supply
- The moon is also being considered as a potential source of helium-3, with some experts believing it could be extracted and used to meet growing demand
Helium-3 is a rare and valuable gas with a range of applications, including quantum computing and nuclear fusion. However, its main source is currently from the decay of tritium in nuclear weapons, which may not be sufficient to meet future demand. As a result, researchers and entrepreneurs are seeking new sources of helium-3, including extraction from the ground and potentially even the moon. Lancaster University has a significant stockpile of helium-3, which is stored in a carefully controlled laboratory and is considered one of the university's most valuable assets. With the potential for helium-3 to play a key role in the development of new technologies, the search for new sources is likely to continue, with significant implications for the future of quantum computing and nuclear fusion.
Sources
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