13-year-old is the youngest person to build a nuclear fusion reactor

The biggest aspiration of ordinary 13 year-olds is equipping their virtual characters with the best-in-slot gear in a video, but to Jamie Edwards, a youth from Penwortham, England, setting the record of being the youngest person to build a nuclear fusion reactor was more important. The record was previously set by Taylor Wilson in 2008, who achieved nuclear fusion at the age of 14, but now Jamie broke this record on March 6th 2014, a few days before his own 14th birthday. 

The idea came to Jamie one day while studying radiation and other aspects of Nuclear Fusion, when the young man stumbled upon Taylor Wilson’s record. “I looked at it, thought ‘that looks cool’ and decided to have a go,” said Jamie thoughtfully. The idea felt natural to the youth, who did his older brother’s science homework out of sheer interest.

Jamie began constructing his reactor at Priory Academy back in October 2013.“Basically, I made a star in a jar. It’s amazing really, quite a feat, to be from Penwortham and be the youngest person in the world to do this,” recollected Jamie. Of course, to be able to do this Jamie needed the help of physicists. Jamie contacted nuclear laboratories across the United Kingdom attempting to acquire donations, but collecting the funds proved to be very difficult, “I went to various nuclear laboratories and universities and they didn’t seem to take me seriously, he decreed. 

Jamie’s control box  
In the end it was Jamie’s head teacher Jim Hourigan who saved day. After outlining his project and reviewing all the necessary safety precautions, as well as the benefits, Mr. Hourigan graced the youth with his patronage of £2,000. “I was a bit stunned and I have to say a little nervous when Jamie suggested this but he reassured me he wouldn’t blow the school up,” he said, before further donating another £1,000 toward a contingency fund aimed at helping Jamie to make the project more energy efficient.

In order for Jamie to have received credit for the fusion, it had to be videotaped and conducted before a panel of nuclear fusion experts. R&B switchgear was used to test to voltage of the control panel and Manchester University checked the machinery; risk assessment was performed by Westinghouse Springfield Fuels Ltd. “it is quite an achievement. It’s magnificent really. I can’t quite believe it – even though all my friends think I am mad,” Jamie humbly reflects. For more pictures and info documenting Jamie’s journey, visit his official blog. It’s amazing how far a little bit of homework can go.

Story via Lancashire Evening Post