Mad Scientist of the Month: Who’s Afraid of Taylor Wilson?

[TechMan]

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/89423
--brought to you by mental_floss!

Meet Taylor Wilson.  At age 14 Taylor became the youngest person in the world to build a nuclear fusion reactor. His IQ has tested in the 99.99 percentile.

When the U.S. Department of Homeland Security heard about Wilson two years ago, officials invited him to their offices to hear more about his research and determine whether or not it could be applied toward their counter-terrorism efforts. Because Wilson was only 15, they weren’t expecting much, but Wilson came prepared. After shaking everyone’s hands, he announced, “You know your building’s radio-active, right?” The pager-sized Geiger counter attached to Wilson’s belt was beeping, an indication that the granite surrounding them contained unusually high amounts of uranium—not enough to be harmful, but enough for Wilson to raise a few eyebrows.

“Their own building was radioactive and most didn’t know it,” Wilson says. “That’s when they started to take me really seriously.”

Read the full text here: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/89423#ixzz1VxOyHIHh
--brought to you by mental_floss!

Good read.

[Perd Hapley]

Is he arranging the fuel rods according to the Fibonacci Sequence?

[zxcvbob]

Sounds a lot like the "Radioactive Boy Scout" article in Harper's a few years ago.

http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/radscout.html

[makattak]

Glad he's on our side. Impressive.

[AZRedhawk44]

 At age 14 Taylor became the youngest person in the world to build a nuclear fusion reactor.

I think he'd be the only person in the world to build a nuclear fusion reactor.


All the reactors out there right now are fission reactors.


ETA:  I read the full article.  He built a fusion chamber, and fused some Deuterium.  But nothing says he built a power generating reactor (which is my immediate assumption when hearing "reactor").  I give mad props to the kid for chasing down something as complicated and esoteric as this and hope it leads to further research advancements in his life later on. 

[AmbulanceDriver]

As far as power producing, self-sustainting reactors, yes.  All of them are fission.

But as far as experimental or home-built "fusor" type reactors....   not at all true. 

[HankB]

I wasn't aware that you could get all that stuff (including radium and vials of plutonium!) on Ebay . . . 

[AJ Dual]

I think he'd be the only person in the world to build a nuclear fusion reactor.


All the reactors out there right now are fission reactors.


ETA:  I read the full article.  He built a fusion chamber, and fused some Deuterium.  But nothing says he built a power generating reactor (which is my immediate assumption when hearing "reactor").  I give mad props to the kid for chasing down something as complicated and esoteric as this and hope it leads to further research advancements in his life later on. 

Yah, there's many home built fusors that are net energy losers. Still cool though.

[Physics]

My Phd project was very nearly a Farnsworth fusor.  This is a public forum so I can't really say any more, other than we've been able to see ~30 seconds of self-sustaining reaction.  We think.

Impressive that the kid can do it at 14, but not a horribly complex project, especially considering plans are readily available.  Now, show me a 14 year old who can do near-field microscopy, and I will be impressed.    What makes me happy is to see a young American kid with some enthusiasm for science.  That is a rarity these days. 

[birdman]

Yah, there's many home built all fusors that are net energy losers. Still cool though.

Fixed (been working on fusion stuff since I was that kid's age).

There are plenty of devices that can do DT and DD fusion that can be built at home (don't even need that high of voltages.  However...I would suggest not doing it...most can easily create enough neutrons and bremsstralung x-rays to harm/kill someone. 

As for near field microscopy...funny, I have a patent submission in progress on that topic :)

[Physics]

Fixed (been working on fusion stuff since I was that kid's age).

There are plenty of devices that can do DT and DD fusion that can be built at home (don't even need that high of voltages.  However...I would suggest not doing it...most can easily create enough neutrons and bremsstralung x-rays to harm/kill someone. 

As for near field microscopy...funny, I have a patent submission in progress on that topic :)

Hey me too!   A couple of them actually.  My research group specializes in near-field, and I do all of our numerical modeling and a lot on the fabrication end (a lot of SEM and FIB work, amongst other things) for nano-probes.

[freakazoid]

My Phd project was very nearly a Farnsworth fusor.

 

[birdman]

Hey me too!   A couple of them actually.  My research group specializes in near-field, and I do all of our numerical modeling and a lot on the fabrication end (a lot of SEM and FIB work, amongst other things) for nano-probes.

PM me with your work info (company/school/email)...I need to find a partner company to work with that knows their stuff...we have a good idea, but we don't have the facilities to execute at my business unit.

[RoadKingLarry]

I wonder what kind of surveillance they have on the kid?
Is he on the no-fly list yet?

[Physics]

 

Farnsworth is the guy that invented the fusor.

[MechAg94]

In fact, Wilson thinks his youth is an asset.
“Because kids haven’t been exposed to the bureaucracy of professional science, they’re a lot more open to trying things,” Wilson says. “In that way, I think kids are able to sometimes do better science than adults.”

Don't worry, the bureaucracy will sap his motivation and creativity before he reaches 25.  

[MillCreek]

My Phd project was very nearly a Farnsworth fusor. 

Good news, everyone!  Today you will be delivering a nearly-functional fusor named after me!

[seeker_two]

Meet Taylor Wilson.  At age 14 Taylor became the youngest person in the world to build a nuclear fusion reactor. His IQ has tested in the 99.99 percentile.

Bet he gets a full scholarship at any Middle Eastern university of his choice.....