Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: How OSU’s Helium Recovery System is leading innovation in sustainability
After a time of uncertainty and scarcity — when consumers were stockpiling toilet paper and hand sanitizer — things were easing into normalcy in 2022. But that's when a different shortage began plaguing the Oklahoma State University Department of Chemistry. Due to widespread shortages, helium suppliers nationwide cut the amount of helium consumers could typically purchase. Because liquid helium is essential for conducting chemistry research at OSU, Drs. Margaret Eastman and Jimmie Weaver were challenged to think outside of the box to keep their department’s work going. The result was Oklahoma’s only helium recovery system (HRS) that liquefies recovered helium gas.
