Cesare Carinia student like no other from 17 ansmanaged to build a small nuclear fusion reactor for his A-Levels. This project, which aims to produce neutrons, is part of its Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and was presented at the Cambridge Science Festival. This incredible adventure not only shows the ingenuity of a young talent, but it also raises questions about the future of energy and the role that young minds can play in it.
How he set up this ambitious project
Mencarini has passed 18 months to imagine and build your reactor. The goal? Reproduce the conditions necessary for fusion, even if it could not reach the gigantic pressure of the Sun due to lack of sufficient gravity. To get around this, he used high voltage to heat the atoms. Last June, its reactor reached plasma, a key milestone in its progress.
The reactor is based on some fairly robust technical elements. For example, a pump Leybold Trivac E2 achieves an impressive minimum pressure of 8E-3 Torr. In addition, a turbomolecular pump Pfeiffer TPH062currently put on hold by a VAT valve, will soon be used to attempt fusion. The reactor grid is attached to a high voltage bushing of 30kVconnected to a Unilab power supply with an output limited to 2mA.
Were the teachers worried?
At first, teachers at Cardiff Sixth Form College were in a cold sweat over the potential risks of the project. But after carefully assessing all the possible dangers, they finally gave the green light. Cesare says: “The college was initially worried […] on the dangerousness of the project. After doing all the necessary assessments, the staff was very supportive. »
Dr Julian Davies, principal of the college, sees Mencarini as an “exceptional” student and believes he will play a big role in the future energy industry. According to him, allowing students to take measured risks with concrete projects is crucial to their success.
Top academic results and head full of dreams
Thanks to this daring project, Cesare Mencarini achieved an A* in mathematics, chemistry and physics during his A-Levels at Cardiff Sixth Form College. And he doesn’t plan to stop there; he plans to continue studying engineering while planning a move to the Interface and Analysis Center at the University of Bristol.
Its prototype also attracted attention during a collaboration with Imperial College, the University of Bristol and the University of Bangor.
Towards a bright energy future?
This is not just an academic achievement; it also brings hope for global energy. By successfully running his reactor to the plasma stage, Cesare proves that even young innovators can contribute to the world’s energy challenges. His initiative could well inspire other students to embark on their own ambitious scientific projects.
Ultimately, as Mencarini continues his studies and nurtures his professional ambitions, his work could pave the way for major advances in nuclear fusion research. Everyone is looking forward to the next promising steps this brilliant student will take in his budding scientific career.
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