Helium plays a crucial role in basic research at ETH Zurich. In fields such as physics, chemistry, biology, semiconductor research, and medical imaging, liquid helium is indispensable as a coolant. Many experiments and measurement instruments in these disciplines operate reliably only at temperatures close to absolute zero.
In quantum science, for example, liquid helium is used to cool quantum computers and superconducting circuits, stabilising their extremely sensitive quantum states. In biology and medical technology, helium is essential for the superconducting magnets used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, which generate powerful, resistance‑free magnetic fields and enable high‑resolution images of organs and tissues. In Biology, Helium‑cooled nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers likewise make it possible to determine the structure of proteins with high precision (see box below).
ETH feels the impact of the global Helium shortage
The escalation of the war in the Middle East has been disrupting global helium supply chains since late February, alongside those for crude oil and natural gas. One key reason is that the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been closed to international shipping.
Further strain has arisen from significant production losses in the Persian Gulf. Since mid‑March, gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Iran and Qatar have been attacked, affecting both natural gas production and the extraction of helium. Helium is not produced independently; it is separated as a by‑product of natural gas extraction and the subsequent LNG processing chain.
The shutdown of the Ras Laffan facilities in Qatar is particularly significant, as the Gulf state was set to account for around a third of global helium production by 2025. War-related damage to Qatar’s helium processing infrastructure will therefore inevitably lead to a decline in global production and increased price pressure.
Shifts in the helium market affect ETH
“Helium supplies are tight, but we have taken precautions. Our reserves are currently well stocked, allowing us to bridge any potential shortages in the coming months,” says Janis Lütolf. He is Head of Technical Operations in the Department of Physics, which includes the gas liquefaction team responsible for procuring and liquefying the helium required at ETH Zurich.
ETH Zurich is not directly affected by the production outages and transport disruptions in the Persian Gulf, as it sources a significant share of its helium from Algeria. Qatari helium has so far been supplied mainly to Asian markets. To partially offset shortfalls from Qatar, however, increasing volumes of Algerian helium are now likely to be diverted to Asia. This shift and the resulting tightening of the global helium market are also being felt at ETH Zurich.
Compounding the issue is the scarcity of helium itself. The gas is not produced independently but is separated as a by‑product of natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. Output is concentrated in a small number of countries and locations worldwide, leaving the global supply chain vulnerable when individual large‑scale facilities fall out of service. At the same time, demand from the medical sector, the semiconductor industry and research is rising worldwide.