Investigation topic 1: Endangered elements in the periodic table
Today’s chemists are involved in many branches of chemistry, covering all 118 elements in the periodic table. Some of these elements are now considered to be critical and endangered, particularly due to the prevalence of modern technologies that rely on many different scarce minerals. It has been estimated that 44 elements will soon be, or are already, facing supply limitations, making a future of continuing technological advancement uncertain.
Questions that may be explored in this investigation include:
· Why is helium classified as a critical and endangered element, and how can it be saved given that its atmospheric recovery is almost impossible?
A supply crisis of helium
Helium rationing, a looming crisis – and a sinking feeling - a news article.
McInnes, B. (2013, July 29). Helium rationing, a looming crisis – and a sinking feeling. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/helium-rationing-a-looming-crisis-and-a-sinking-feeling-16432
Sourcing helium from space - a news article
Ogden, T. (2022, May 11). Wealthy nations are carving up space and its riches – and leaving other countries behind. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/wealthy-nations-are-carving-up-space-and-its-riches-and-leaving-other-countries-behind-182820
The many uses of helium
How Helium is used in technology, medicine and more...
Jessica. (2022). How Is Helium Used In Cable And Internet Services | Open World Learning. Openworldlearning.org. https://www.openworldlearning.org/how-is-helium-used-in-cable-and-internet-services/
BOC South Pacific. (2014). BOC - Understanding the uses of Helium [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGS9Qx6SYLw&t=49s
Origin theory of helium
Read about the theory of the origins of helium here
The Big Bang | Exploratorium. (2023, March 7). Exploratorium. https://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/origins/big-bang
Recovery systems of helium
With a global helium shortage at a high, we wanted to be able to reduce our environmental impact.
Some examples of helium recovery systems
Quantum Technology Helium Recovery System
Helium Recovery System. (2023). Nyu.edu. https://as.nyu.edu/departments/chemistry/research/facilities/shared-instrumentation/HeliumRecovery.html
Magnetic Resonance Research Center with a sustainable system that recycles the helium it uses for research
amid. (2022, November 30). ASU recycles research-supporting helium amid global shortage. ASU News. https://news.asu.edu/20221130-solutions-asu-recycles-researchsupporting-helium-amid-global-shortage
Academic literature on helium recovery
Thomas E. Rufford, K. Ida Chan, Stanley H. Huang, & Eric F. May. (2014). A Review of Conventional and Emerging Process Technologies for the Recovery of Helium from Natural Gas. Adsorption Science & Technology, 32. https://doi.org/10.1260/0263-6174.32.1.49
Endangered helium: bursting the myth.
Clarke, R., Nuttall, W., & Glowacki, B. (2013). Endangered helium: bursting the myth. TCE: The Chemical Engineer, 870/871, 32–36.
