Helium

Helium, after hydrogen, is the most abundant element in the universe. It was discovered by Pierre Janssen and Norman Lockyer while they were studying an eclipse of the sun.

As has typically been the case, the helium business continues to be one of the more interesting sectors of the industrial gas business.

Until 10 years ago, helium usage in electronics manufacturing was relatively low and semiconductor factories, which process thousands of silicon wafers per day, were supplied using helium cylinders or bundles of cylinders.

Shortages in the helium supply and its rising cost have been widely known issues for those working in industries using helium as a process/trace gas. Due to its rising cost, helium users have considered spending...

Praxair, Inc. and certain affiliates are notifying bulk gas and medical gas customers in the United States and Puerto Rico of price increases:

California-based hard disk drive (HDD) manufacturer HGST has taken the next step in data storage volumes with the 10 terabyte HDD, the world’s largest volume yet.

Google’s balloon-based internet for everyone strategy – Project Loon – continues to build momentum with the news that the Indian government has cleared the project for testing over its skies.

After last month’s focus on air separation technologies, here we pick up the baton of gas manufacture and cast the net a little wider still to a range of different gas production technologies.

Memphis-based nexAir has announced the acquisition of the assets and operations of National Balloon & Banner, trading as HICO of Jackson, a 28 year-old helium distributor in Jackson, Mississippi.

Air Products is thinking “outside the box” for new ways to obtain helium and improve future supply reliability for its customers in opening a one-of-a-kind helium facility in Doe Canyon, Colorado.