Helium: The Disappearing Element (SpringerBriefs in Earth Sciences)

Description

The subject of the book is helium, the element, and its use in myriad applications including MRI machines, particle accelerators, space telescopes, and of course balloons and blimps. It was at the birth of our Universe, or the Big Bang, where the majority of cosmic helium was created; and stellar helium production continues. Although helium is the second most abundant element in the Universe, it is actually quite rare here on Earth and only exists because of radioactive elements deep within the Earth. This book includes a detailed history of the discovery of helium, of the commercial industry built around it, how the helium we actually encounter is produced within the Earth, and the state of the helium industry today. The gas that most people associate with birthday party balloons is running out. “Who cares?” you might ask. Well, without helium, MRI machines could not function, rockets could not go into space, particle accelerators such as those used by CERN could not operate, fiber optic cables would not exist, and semiconductor chips could not be made…the list goes on and on. Review: Who knew helium could be this interesting? - It's an inert gas, for crying out loud! But I was intrigued by the title of this book, so I thought I would give it a read. It turns out that Mr. Sears tells a very interesting story, going far beyond toy balloons and blimps. In fact, one of the best things about this book is how he starts at "first principles" to tell his story. Who knew that helium was discovered on the sun before it was discovered here on earth? The tale of its discovery is a great scientific detective story. Who knew that our helium, the second most abundant element in the universe, comes not from the atmosphere, where one might think, but from the decay of some of the universe's scarcest elements, in the earth's crust? Who knew that since helium is so light, once it enters the atmosphere, it escapes earth's gravity--it disappears--in a couple of years? Mr. Sears covers the story of Helium, the Disappearing Element, from literally the birth of the universe to the present-day helium industry. This is an excellent book. Much of what he relates will surprise you as it did me. My one quibble is that Springer chose to price it so high. It is unfortunate that this may limit the audience of this entertaining and informative book. Review: Five Stars - Opened my views as to what is happening to our dwindling supply