Jackson Oswalt achieved international recognition as the youngest person to build a functioning nuclear fusion reactor, completing the project in his family’s playroom at just 12 years old. By sourcing vacuum pumps and specialized components from the internet and converting a spare room into a high-voltage laboratory, Oswalt successfully fused atoms using approximately 50,000 volts of electricity. His accomplishment was later verified by researchers and the Open Source Fusor Consortium, highlighting how access to digital information and specialized parts is allowing young hobbyists to tackle advanced nuclear physics outside of traditional institutional settings. While the project remains a remarkable feat of self-taught engineering, it also underscores the evolving landscape of home-based scientific experimentation and the significant safety challenges associated with amateur nuclear research.

Jackson Oswalt achieved international recognition as the youngest person to build a functioning nuclear fusion reactor, completing the project in his family’s playroom at just 12 years old. By sourcing vacuum pumps and specialized components from the internet and converting a spare room into a high-voltage laboratory, Oswalt successfully fused atoms using approximately 50,000 volts of electricity. His accomplishment was later verified by researchers and the Open Source Fusor Consortium, highlighting how access to digital information and specialized parts is allowing young hobbyists to tackle advanced nuclear physics outside of traditional institutional settings. While the project remains a remarkable feat of self-taught engineering, it also underscores the evolving landscape of home-based scientific experimentation and the significant safety challenges associated with amateur nuclear research.