March 24, 2025: In a real-life version of Young Sheldon, 12-year-old Jackson Oswalt stunned the world by successfully building a nuclear fusion reactor in his bedroom. His remarkable feat, which he achieved just days before turning 13, even caught the attention of the FBI.

Jackson shared his journey on X, explaining how he became "obsessed with proving himself" after watching a TED talk by Taylor Wilson, who achieved controlled nuclear fusion at 14 in 2008. Inspired by Wilson, Jackson set out to do the same.

He started by learning the science behind nuclear fusion and building a demo fusor. With financial support from his parents, he sourced parts—many from eBay—including a turbomolecular pump and Deuterium fuel. After a year of meticulous work, Jackson finally detected neutrons, proving that he had achieved nuclear fusion.

His achievement soon made headlines, earning him a Guinness World Record as the youngest person to achieve nuclear fusion. However, not all the attention was welcome. One Saturday morning, FBI agents knocked on his door and conducted a sweep of his house with a Geiger counter to ensure there were no radiation risks. Fortunately, Jackson remained a "free man."

Since then, he has visited various start-ups across the U.S., exploring opportunities in the field of nuclear science. His accomplishment highlights the rising era of young prodigies, alongside talents like India's Aaryan Shukla, known as the "human calculator."

Jackson Oswalt's story is a testament to the boundless potential of young minds when curiosity meets determination.