Helium is a critical element for chipmaking, medical diagnostics, quantum computing and cryogenics. It could also kickstart fusion energy, which has the potential to deliver reliable, carbon-free power to hundreds of millions of people. However, it’s fairly scarce on Earth, where much of it comes from the decay of nuclear materials.

Adding to the limited supply chain is potential disruptions due to the conflict in the Middle East. According to Reuters, chipmakers in Malaysia are still operating as normal but they’re monitoring the situation as helium prices rise. Helium is also a crucial part of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), so any supply chain disruptions have the potential to harm patients waiting for critical care.

However, the U.S. Department of Energy has a plan to tap the reserves of Earth’s nearest neighbor. The DOE Isotope Program recently signed a supply contract with Black Moon Energy, a lunar development company that’s come up with a possible means for mining helium on the Moon and then transporting it back to Earth.

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