12 Year Old Boy Gets A Shocking Visit From FBI After Achieving Nuclear Fusion in His Bedroom!
When most of us were 12, we spent our time eagerly awaiting the release of fusion the next big movie or playing video games with friends. But Jackson Oswalt, a young genius from Memphis, Tennessee, was on a completely different path that would earn him a place in the Guinness World Records.
A Sudden Epiphany
For Jackson, his childhood wasn’t spent on a typical tween obsession. While most 12-year-olds were immersed in entertainment, Jackson had a moment of clarity that changed everything. He realized that no matter how good he became at video games, it wasn’t going to make a lasting impact. Video games, he thought, “had no role to play” in the grand scheme of things. That’s when his interests shifted dramatically—he turned to science.

Instead of playing games, Jackson decided to dive into the fascinating world of nuclear fusion. Inspired by YouTube videos on the subject, he began to study how atoms could be fused together to release energy—a process that powers the sun. His goal was clear: to replicate this incredible scientific achievement, but at a much smaller scale.
What is Nuclear Fusion?
In case you’re wondering, nuclear fusion is the process in which atomic nuclei combine under intense heat and pressure, resulting in a massive release of energy. The sun’s energy, for example, is powered by this process. Jackson wanted to experiment with this complex and powerful scientific concept, but he had a much more personal goal in mind—he wanted to make history.
Building the ‘Demo Fusor’
Jackson didn’t just read about fusion. He wanted to make it happen. He got his hands dirty, building what’s known as a “demo fusor.” This device creates plasma, but doesn’t achieve full nuclear fusion. To make it work, Jackson needed a vacuum chamber, a pump, and even a neon sign transformer. The materials were hard to come by, but Jackson was determined.
He spent over a year working on his creation, often testing and refining his work. One day, just before his 13th birthday, his efforts paid off. Jackson achieved nuclear fusion—making him the youngest person ever to do so. It was a massive achievement, verified by Fusor.net, the Open Source Fusor Research Consortium, in 2018. Jackson had done what many adults would consider impossible.

FBI’s Surprising Visit
But Jackson’s achievement didn’t go unnoticed. In an unexpected twist, he found himself visited by two FBI agents one Saturday morning. The government agency had heard about his success and wanted to ensure that Jackson’s experiments hadn’t resulted in dangerous radiation. The agents even brought a geiger counter to check his house for any radiation.
Luckily, Jackson was in the clear. He joked, “Fortunately I remained a free man,” as the situation didn’t escalate beyond that initial sweep. It wasn’t every day that an FBI visit was part of a 12-year-old’s scientific journey, but that’s what made Jackson’s story so incredible.

The Next Chapter: AI Research
Fast forward seven years, and Jackson Oswalt is no longer just a young scientist playing with fusion. He’s now working for Midjourney, a leading research lab where he’s contributing to groundbreaking research in artificial intelligence. Jackson’s journey from the world of nuclear fusion to the cutting-edge world of AI shows just how far his curiosity and determination have taken him.
As a young scientist, Jackson Oswalt is proving that age is no barrier to making a lasting impact on the world. From a 12-year-old dreaming of nuclear fusion to becoming an expert in AI research, Jackson has already achieved more than many could ever imagine. It’s clear that the future is bright for this remarkable young mind, and we’ll be following his journey closely as he continues to break barriers.
Jackson’s story is a testament to the power of curiosity, dedication, and thinking outside the box. While we were all busy with our childhood games, he was setting records that will be talked about for years to come. The sky’s the limit for this young genius, and we can’t wait to see what he’ll do next.