Qatar supplies a third of the world’s helium, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, but the nation had to halt production shortly after the war erupted three weeks ago.
Archived version: https://archive.is/newest/https://fortune.com/2026/03/21/iran-war-helium-shortage-qatar-chip-supply-chains-ai-boom/
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
Hold on to your phones like they were the very last ones ever made. No helium = no computing at all.
Hard drives use helium. Aluminum/tig and other Welding uses helium, all chip making processes use helium, laser cutters use helium, fusion energy LOL, uses helium like a total bitch. Some chemistry uses helium.
We are soooo fucked.
#Mycabbages!
Helium-icon microscopes, an alternative to scanning electron microscopes.
Leak detection is needed to check Air Conditioners…let that sink in!!!
Party balloons… Some use hydrogen and methane… Right?
And then we have dumb uses for helium: