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According to the article, if the device is small enough it doesn't require helium or a vacuum.

• bradyd 12y ago
  "And we’ll have to devise proper packaging methods for these 1-atmosphere, helium-filled devices." Actually it does require helium, but no vacuum.
  • TylerE 12y ago
    And vacuum, at least comparatively soft vacuum, isn't a big deal either. I've got functional vacuum tubes around here older than I am.
  • Dylan16807 12y ago
    "For example, the mean free path of electrons in air under normal atmospheric pressure is about 200 nanometers, which on the scale of today’s transistors is pretty large." It doesn't require helium; helium is just a bit better.