NMR Helium Fill

      Let's see.  I hope I get this right.  Although I am interested in science, I have about zero experience in the lab.  And yet I was enlisted to help H fill the NMR with liquid helium yesterday.  Actually, it wasn't difficult to be the assistant, as long as I listened to directions and wore a big glove so my left hand would not freeze.

Here is the NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Spectrometer  

Here is the liquid nitrogen.  The NMR requires a weekly fill of this, but since it had been done on Friday, we only looked at the container.

This is the liquid helium which boils at 4 degrees above absolute zero.  That is really, really, really, really cold.  At absolute zero, all molecular motion stops.  I said, "You could die." H said, "Ha! You could die well before that!"  I guess that's why we keep it in it's own home.

     The NMR needs a liquid helium fill twice a year.  It was time.  

 Once we set it up, we let it fill to 100%, about 40 liters, waiting for about 45 minutes while the room temperature got cooler.

   Better watch out, Bill.