US seventh grader claims to have built fusion reactor at makerspace

Aiden MacMillan, a 12-year-old seventh grader from Dallas, claims to have built a nuclear fusion reactor at a makerspace called Launchpad, where he developed prototypes over two years. His device reportedly generated neutrons, indicating that fusion occurred, making him potentially the youngest person to achieve this feat. MacMillan’s interest in fusion began during the COVID-19 lockdowns, driven by his belief that fusion is the future of energy. He now aims to break the Guinness World Record previously held by Jackson Oswalt, who built a fusion reactor at age 12 in 2020. While MacMillan’s accomplishment is impressive for his age and dedication, experts emphasize that such achievements do not advance nuclear fusion science in a practical sense. The main challenge in fusion energy research lies in creating a commercially viable process that can generate large-scale, cost-competitive power. Current efforts by research institutes and startups focus on making fusion energy a feasible alternative to fossil fuels and renewable sources like wind and solar.