12-year-old builds nuclear fusion reactor at home, sets World Record, and gets FBI visit

In what seems like a scene from a sci-fi movie, 12-year-old Jackson Oswalt from Memphis, US, built a nuclear fusion reactor in his bedroom, making him the youngest person ever to achieve nuclear fusion. His remarkable feat earned him a Guinness World Record, widespread media attention, and even an unexpected visit from the FBI.

Jackson’s journey began when he watched a TED Talk by Taylor Wilson, who had achieved controlled nuclear fusion at the age of 14 in 2008. Inspired by Wilson’s achievement, Jackson decided to replicate the process. "Seeing this opened my mind to the possibility that somebody so young could do something so crazy," he shared. At just 11 years old, he set out on his mission.

The young prodigy first studied the science behind nuclear fusion, eventually building a demo fusor. He sought financial support from his parents to acquire necessary equipment, including a turbomolecular pump from eBay, a vacuum chamber, and deuterium fuel. After nearly a year of assembling and testing, Jackson successfully achieved nuclear fusion just days before his 13th birthday, proving it by detecting neutrons.

His achievement quickly gained attention, earning him a Guinness World Record and recognition from several tech and science communities. However, his fame also brought some unexpected scrutiny. One Saturday morning, two FBI agents arrived at his house, conducting a sweep with a Geiger counter to ensure there were no radiation hazards. Fortunately, they found nothing concerning, and Jackson humorously noted, "I remained a free man."

Following his success, Jackson received invitations from various tech start-ups across the country, offering him opportunities to explore cutting-edge scientific advancements. His story has drawn comparisons to Young Sheldon, the popular TV series about a child prodigy tackling complex physics problems.

At a time when young minds like Jackson Oswalt are building nuclear reactors and India’s Aaryan Shukla is wowing the world as a human calculator, it’s clear that the next generation of prodigies is pushing the limits of what’s possible.