NYTimes.com:
The Department of Homeland Security has spent $230 million to
develop better technology for detecting smuggled nuclear bombs
but has had to stop deploying the new machines because the
United States has run out of helium-3.“I have not heard
any explanation of why this was not entirely
foreseeable,” said Representative Brad Miller, Democrat
of North Carolina, who is the chairman of a House subcommittee
that is investigating the problem.The demand for helium 3
appeared to be 10 times the supply.
Related Physics Today article US government agencies work to minimize damage due to helium-3 shortfall October 2009 Helium shortage hampers research and industry June 2007
Related Physics Today article US government agencies work to minimize damage due to helium-3 shortfall October 2009 Helium shortage hampers research and industry June 2007
