The University of Tokyo has been doing the helium liquefaction business to supply liquefied helium to universities and research institutes since October 2019.
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The volume of helium reliquefied during 2021 marked about 8,000 liter which was 26 times more than the previous year at the request of five organizations. It is said that the increase of request started from the autumn of the year due to the tight supply of helium greatly influenced by confusion in logistic network after the Covid-19.

The five organizations which requested liquefaction include four gas-related companies and one university. Through these organizations, liquefied helium was supplied to 25 universities and technical colleges and also to 17 private research institutes and hospitals.

Hikaru Tsuchiya, technology research staff said, “There was a background for us to get out of the tight supply of helium for academic institutions when we started our liquefaction work. So, we make it a rule to accept requests for liquefaction of gas mainly with an eye to the ultimate use at the Research Institute or hospitals.”

On the other hand, he said, “There is something we feel questionable that the helium brought for liquefaction was not a recycled one apart from our first thought of the scheme based on a recycled helium. It is one of the issues to solve that the outcome was found different from the original aim. However, we think it might be meaningful if the use of our liquefying device work to avoid stopping the research of the academic institution.”