In addition to the oil and gas reserves located in the Strait of Hormuz, another crucial resource for the modern economy is helium. This essential element plays a significant role in various applications, including MRI machines, the Large Hadron Collider, and deep-sea diving. Furthermore, helium is vital for the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. This is not the first instance where the delicate global supply chain for helium has faced challenges. So, what makes helium so important, and what could be the consequences if the shortage persists? Ian Sample discusses these issues with co-host Madeleine Finlay and Sophia Hayes, a chemistry professor at Washington University in St. Louis.