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pcernie
Legend
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:30 pm
Posts: 45931
Location: Belfast
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19676639I'd no idea there was a shortage. Or that it had such cool uses 
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http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
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| Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:19 pm |
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bobbdobbs
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:10 pm
Posts: 5490
Location: just behind you!
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yup, there is a shortage. At work we are looking to change from helium to hydrogen where possible for the carrier gas in the GC's.
_________________Finally joined Flickr
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| Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:25 pm |
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ProfessorF
What's a life?
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:56 pm
Posts: 12030
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So shouldn't it just be restricted sale to the medical profession then?
I'll admit I'll miss my hilarious use of it whilst drunk at parties to make my voice sound like an Australian Joe Pasquale, but needs must.
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| Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:26 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm
Posts: 7173
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Christ, are the BBC taking lessons from the Daily Mail now? Complete non-story.
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| Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:36 pm |
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pcernie
Legend
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:30 pm
Posts: 45931
Location: Belfast
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I did think it was a bit sensationalist myself, but then I know nothing about that industry. It's actually BBC policy to jazz up the headlines now IIRC  _________________Plain English advice on everything money, purchase and service related:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
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| Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:42 pm |
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belchingmatt
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 3:16 am
Posts: 6146
Location: Middle Earth
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A few years ago the Americans decided they didn't need to stockpile Helium any more, and decided to sell it off cheap.  At the inaccuracies and opinion in that article.
_________________
Dive like a fish, drink like a fish!
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If one is diving so close to the limits that +/- 1% will make a difference then the error has already been made.
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| Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:57 pm |
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Amnesia10
Legend
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:02 am
Posts: 29240
Location: Guantanamo Bay (thanks bobbdobbs)
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I vaguely remember this in a New Scientist article in the 90's. it was after the US sold off strategic reserves.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk.
_________________Do concentrate, 007... "You are gifted. Mine is bordering on seven seconds." https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTg5MzczNTkhttp://astore.amazon.co.uk/wwwx404couk-21
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| Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:53 am |
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JJW009
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:58 pm
Posts: 8767
Location: behind the sofa
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I remember reading about that too. Unbelievable the way they basically just dumped 90% of the world's supply. Helium is pretty much a non-renewable resource since it drifts off into space when released, and the only way it's created is in nuclear fusion. The amount used in "balloon gas" may be low, but it's a luxury that can't last forever. _________________jonbwfc's law: "In any forum thread someone will, no matter what the subject, mention Firefly." When you're feeling too silly for x404, youRwired.net
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| Mon Sep 24, 2012 9:40 am |
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belchingmatt
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 3:16 am
Posts: 6146
Location: Middle Earth
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How about alpha decay? Those Helium nuclei are fairly electronegative and will almost certainly scavenge electrons from other atoms and become Helium as we know it. Probably not a significant natural production method based on daily consumption, but the majority of Terra's natural reserves would have been formed this way.
_________________
Dive like a fish, drink like a fish!
><(((º>`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(((º>
•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(((º>`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(((º>
If one is diving so close to the limits that +/- 1% will make a difference then the error has already been made.
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| Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:38 pm |
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Amnesia10
Legend
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:02 am
Posts: 29240
Location: Guantanamo Bay (thanks bobbdobbs)
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That is actually how the majority of it on earth was formed. Straight forward radiation and lots of time. _________________Do concentrate, 007... "You are gifted. Mine is bordering on seven seconds." https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTg5MzczNTkhttp://astore.amazon.co.uk/wwwx404couk-21
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| Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:14 pm |
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leeds_manc
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:19 pm
Posts: 5071
Location: Manchester
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Of course these things are all renewable given a ridiculous enough time scale. However, a human time-scale is the only thing that is important.
Rationing of resources as a species, for the continuation of the species, is a skill which evolution simply can't provide a species with - exploitation yes, self-rationing when there's enough to go round right now...no.
In the end, I'll be dead before this is a problem, so I'm going on a flight to shoot some elephants.
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| Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:20 pm |
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JJW009
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:58 pm
Posts: 8767
Location: behind the sofa
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OK that's probably right, but it's a long wait for it to build up. Rather like waiting for coal to form naturally! _________________jonbwfc's law: "In any forum thread someone will, no matter what the subject, mention Firefly." When you're feeling too silly for x404, youRwired.net
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| Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:24 pm |
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