Yes—Jackson Oswalt produced a verified fusion reaction in a fusor he built in his family’s playroom in Memphis, Tennessee. He did not build a practical power plant, however. The apparatus consumed more energy than it produced; its significance was demonstrating fusion and earning a Guinness World Records record, not generating usable electricity.
What Jackson Oswalt built
Oswalt assembled a small fusor, an experimental device that uses a strong electric field and a vacuum to accelerate ions until some nuclei fuse. Guinness World Records originally used the word “reactor” in its coverage, but later amended the description to “fusor,” which is the more precise term.
He operated the equipment in his family home in Memphis. Guinness dates the record-setting achievement to 19 January 2018, shortly before Oswalt’s 13th birthday.
Did he really achieve nuclear fusion?
According to Guinness, the result was verified through the Open Source Fusor Research Consortium at Fusor.net and confirmed by fusion researcher Richard Hull. Guinness lists 2 February 2018 as the verification date.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- This science top is for all students who likes physics that leesons od atom, mass, neutron, proton, fission and fusion. Ideal choice of clothing for scientists, science students, science lovers out there. Wear this onto your next class or lecture.
- Our graphic design is a great outfit or clothes for men, women, kids, boys, girls, teens, youth, dad, father, mom, mother, grandma and granddad. This art is also great for birthday gifts, and Christmas surprises.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Oswalt’s project description identifies the experiment as deuterium–deuterium fusion. In that reaction, two deuterium nuclei can combine to produce helium-3 and a neutron. Detecting neutrons is an important indicator that fusion occurred, rather than merely observing electrical discharge inside the device.
“I was unable to achieve a strong enough vacuum to ‘ignite’ the fusion reaction, but with perseverance I achieved my goal.”
Rank #2
SM&MM Six Motor Core Alignment Fiber Fusion Splicer Automatic FTTH Fiber Optical Welding Splicing 5S Heating 15S (Ai-9) (Orange)
- The fusion splicing machine uses a powerful high-speed motor that allows fast 5 second splice time and 15 second heat time, continuous splice and heats about 320 times. And it saving engineers time.
- Built-In power meter (Wavelength 850nm/1300nm/1310nm/1490nm/1550nm/1625nm); Built-in Visual Fault Locator:15KM.
- 3 In 1 Fiber Holder suit for SM(G. 652&G. 657)、MM (G. 651)、DS(G. 657)、NZDS (G. 655), bare fiber, pigtail, rubber-insulated, multi fiber cable; Splice Loss: 0.025dB (SM) 、0. 01dB (MM) 0. 04dB (DS/NZDS).
- 4.3" High Resolution LCD Button and Touch Screen With 380X Magnification.Super sensitive touch function and ultra clear image display.Friendly And Intelligent Operation Interface..
- 6 Motors true optical fiber Core Alignement Automatic Fusion Splicer & Fiber Identification Function.Lower fusion loss,for trunk line construction, FTTH project, security monitoring etc. 6 Languages can choose.
—Jackson Oswalt, quoted by Guinness World Records
Why the fusor was not a power plant
The word “fusion” does not automatically mean “energy surplus.” Oswalt’s fusor created fusion reactions, but the device could not generate more power than it consumed. Electricity was required to operate the high-voltage system, vacuum equipment and supporting hardware, and the reaction output was far smaller than that input.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- Flame test activity allows students to study the emission spectra of different chemicals
- The kit is made safer without compromising the experiment by burning small, chemically-distinct candles
- Students will learn how a substance's chemistry can be determined based on emission spectra
- Includes enough material for six groups of students
- Kit includes teacher's manual, student study guide copymasters, and safety data sheets for all included materials
| Device type | What it demonstrates or does | Energy result |
|---|---|---|
| Oswalt’s fusor | Produces a measurable number of fusion reactions, with neutron detection used as evidence | Consumes more energy than the fusion reactions release |
| Net-energy fusion power reactor | Would sustain fusion while delivering useful energy to an external load | Must produce more usable energy than the complete system consumes |
That distinction is the key to understanding the story: Oswalt achieved fusion, not net power. His apparatus was an experimental demonstration, not an early commercial generator.
How a fusor produces fusion, at a high level
A fusor places a low-pressure gas inside a vacuum chamber and applies high voltage between electrodes. The electric field accelerates positively charged deuterium ions toward the center. A small fraction of those fast-moving nuclei collide with enough energy to fuse.
Rank #4
- 4. Interrupt output interface, through which you can connect The microcontroller is then displayed on the LCD.
- 1. 5V power supply, or 1.5V 3 batteries; 1.2V 4 batteries, current: 30mA - 12mA
- 2. Used to detect gamma rays from 20mR/h~120mR/h and 100~1800 off Variation/spot/cm 2 of soft rays.
- 3. Sound and light alarm; Compatible with for
- 5. Support most Geiger tubes: M4011, -5, SBM20, J305, etc. (Can support Geiger tube 330~600V working voltage).Support computer (PC) data acquisition, Matlab analysis and processing
For deuterium–deuterium reactions, one possible outcome is helium-3 plus a neutron. Instruments that detect the resulting neutrons provide evidence that nuclear fusion is taking place. This explanation describes the principle only; it is not a construction procedure.
How Guinness recognized the achievement
Guinness records Oswalt as the youngest male to achieve nuclear fusion. The record event occurred in Memphis on 19 January 2018, and the result was subsequently checked by Fusor.net and Richard Hull. Guinness later reported that the achievement appeared in its 2021 edition.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
- Nuclear fusion and nuclear fission is explored in physics by physicists and atomic physicists as well as particle physicists and nuclear physicists. Uranium 235 is produced in the atomic model in the nuclear power plant.
- Physicists, men and women who like to calculate the nuclear fission of uranium 235 for Christmas or birthday will be delighted with this gift.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
The record page and record status can change over time, so the dated achievement and verification should be distinguished from any current holder of the category.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened with safety concerns?
The project involved high voltage, vacuum equipment and nuclear radiation hazards. Futurism reported that Oswalt’s mother had reservations during the work and said she would research the equipment before he activated different stages.
A 2025 Guinness retrospective also reported that the FBI visited the family home and checked for radiation after Oswalt’s experiments. That visit is a reported event, not a general safety certification for amateur fusors or evidence that home-built fusion equipment is safe.
The available accounts do not establish a complete modern safety standard, and they do not justify copying the setup. A fusor should not be treated as a household project, kit or beginner electronics build.
Quick Recap
What the story actually proves
- A middle school student built and operated a fusor in his family’s Memphis playroom.
- Deuterium–deuterium fusion was reported, with neutron detection used as evidence.
- Guinness and independent fusor researchers verified the result.
- The device did not produce net energy or usable surplus electricity.
- The achievement is a record-setting experiment, not a home power solution or commercial reactor prototype.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
