Welsh Teen Achieves A by Building Nuclear Fusion Reactor for A-Levels

In a remarkable display of ingenuity and academic brilliance, 17-year-old Cesare Mencarini has successfully constructed a nuclear fusion reactor as part of his A-level Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), earning him an A* grade. The Cardiff Sixth Form College student dedicated 18 months to building the reactor, which generates neutrons, showcasing his work at the prestigious Cambridge Science Festival.

Cesare, who originally hails from Italy, embarked on this ambitious project despite initial concerns from his teachers about its safety. After conducting thorough risk assessments and adapting the design to fit within budget constraints, he was able to convince his college that the project was safe and feasible. The result was a functional nuclear fusion reactor, believed to be the only one built within a school environment.

In addition to his groundbreaking project, Cesare also achieved top grades in mathematics, further mathematics, chemistry, and physics. His academic excellence is further evidenced by his future plans to work at the Interface and Analysis Centre at the University of Bristol in Gloucestershire for a year before pursuing an engineering degree.

Cesare hopes his work will inspire other young people to develop innovative ideas and think critically about how they can contribute to improving the world. Speaking about his project, Cesare explained, “The purpose of the reactor is to produce the necessary conditions for fusion to take place. We had to use a high voltage to achieve the temperatures needed, as we can’t replicate the sun’s gravity here on Earth.”

Nuclear fusion, a process that involves fusing atoms together to release vast amounts of energy, is considered a potentially revolutionary energy source. Unlike the current nuclear power stations that rely on nuclear fission (splitting atoms), fusion has the potential to provide a virtually limitless and clean energy supply. However, the extreme temperatures required for fusion have so far prevented it from being widely used.

Dr Julian Davies, the principal of Cardiff Sixth Form College, praised Cesare’s work ethic and innovation, stating, “Cesare has been outstanding in his efforts. This project is an exciting example of what our students can achieve when given the opportunity to work on something that truly interests them. I have no doubt that Cesare will make a significant impact on the energy industry in the future.”

Cesare’s achievement comes on the same day as hundreds of thousands of students across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland received their A-level results. This year, 27.8% of UK A-level entries were awarded an A or A* grade, a slight increase from the previous year. However, the overall pass rate has seen a small decline to 97.2%.

Cesare’s accomplishment not only exemplifies the potential of young minds but also highlights the importance of supporting innovative and challenging projects in educational settings. As Cesare looks forward to his future in engineering, he leaves a legacy of inspiration for students who wish to push the boundaries of what is possible.