Did Jackson Oswalt create nuclear fusion in his family’s playroom at the age of 12? Fact Check

Shelton RozarioSeptember 13, 2025

2 minutes read

Claim : In 2018 at 12 years old, Jackson Oswalt built a working nuclear fusion device, earned a Guinness World Record and got raided by the FBI.

Conclusion : The claim is true. Multiple reliable sources confirm this and he holds the title as the youngest person to achieve nuclear fusion by Guinness World Record even in 2025.

Rating : True.

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Several users have claimed that at 12 years old, Jackson Oswalt from Memphis, Tennessee built a working nuclear fusion device in his family’s playroom. A claim made by The History Archives on Facebook states how in 2018 he challenged himself to achieve nuclear fusion by constructing a fusor. View the facebook post below:

The post further states how with a budget of about US$10,000 provided by his parents, he sourced components from eBay and other suppliers. After a year, he fused two deuterium atoms and detected neutrons soon after which his house was raided by the FBI.

Memphis 12-Year-Old Achieves Nuclear Fusion at Home — FBI Investigates

Jackson Oswalt, a curious and determined 12-year-old from Memphis, Tennessee, taught himself nuclear physics via YouTube and online forums. Driven by inspiration from teen physicist Taylor Wilson, Jackson… pic.twitter.com/1RiR3PK5vO

— Kalen (@kalen_wi) September 6, 2025

Other users have made similar claims on X, which can be viewed here and here

FACT CHECK

DigitEYE India decided to investigate this claim and discovered that it is true. After confirming with official sources and getting our hands on credible information, Jackson Oswalt holds the Guinness World Record to this day.

To confirm this, we first checked the official Guinness World Record website and Youtube channel. Jackson Oswalt did achieve nuclear fusion at age 12, just hours before his 13th birthday on January 19, 2018, by fusing deuterium atoms in a homemade fusor, as verified by Guinness World Records. View the details here.

Furthermore, we also checked the Guinness World Record official Youtube channel and found the video of his achievement here:

The project took place in his family’s playroom in Memphis, Tennessee, where he converted that space into a lab after a year of research. A report published by the Daily Mail confirms that parents provided a budget of approximately $10,000, which he used to source components from eBay.

A report published by the Times of India confirms that the FBI had visited his house after learning about the experiment and found no radioactive material.

Another article by India Today also reports about the FBI team’s visit to Oswalt’s house where he says: ““I also got some less fun attention: one Saturday I was woken up by two FBI agents, who made a quick sweep around my house with a geiger counter to make sure all was good.”