Taylor Wilson

Taylor Wilson is an American nuclear physicist and science advocate recognized for becoming the youngest person to achieve controlled nuclear fusion. At age 14, Wilson built a working reactor capable of fusing atoms in a plasma core at 500 million degrees Fahrenheit. The University of Nevada-Reno provided a space for his early experiments after his parents realized his determination to construct the reactor at home. Popular Science featured Wilson as "The Boy Who Played with Fusion," and Forbes compared his potential impact on the energy sector to that of Bill Gates.

Wilson's scientific pursuits expanded beyond fusion technology. He entered his radiation detector in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, competing against 1,500 participants and earning a $50,000 award for his project "Countering Nuclear Terrorism: Novel Active and Passive Techniques for Detecting Nuclear Threats." The project received the First Place Award in the Physics and Astronomy Category, the Best of Category Award, and the Intel Young Scientist Award. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Energy provided federal funding for his research on affordable Cherenkov radiation detectors. Wilson also presented innovative nuclear detection strategies to former President Barack Obama.

As a public speaker, Wilson has delivered presentations on the TED stage, including three TED Talks. He has discussed the advantages of small, underground nuclear fission reactors that utilize down-blended uranium and plutonium from decommissioned nuclear weapons. Wilson was awarded the $100,000 Thiel Fellowship. His journey is chronicled in the biography "The Boy Who Played with Fusion" by Tom Clynes, with movie rights optioned by 20th Century Fox.

Wilson is the founder of the nuclear technology company Prometheus Industries and serves as a nuclear physicist at the Wilson Laboratory for Radiation Physics. His work focuses on the applications of nuclear energy and radiation, including advancements in medical treatments and clean energy solutions. Wilson also hosts the podcast "Giant Leap with Taylor Wilson," which aims to make science accessible and engaging. With a strong interest in the history of science and technology, Wilson seeks to inspire future scientists and engineers to pursue innovation and use technology for societal benefit.