NE Colloquium: Taylor Wilson

Abstract:
Taylor will give an overview of his career with nuclear science from growing up in Arkansas and early experiments with nuclear chemistry and the construction fusion devices to his current research on advanced reactors and thoughts on where nuclear power fits in to the energy supply of tomorrow. He’ll also give a brief overview of his research in materials and fuel development, fusion technology, radionuclides for medicine, nuclear detection, robotics, and analytical nuclear chemistry, and share some stories and insights from travels around the world searching for nuclear history.

Bio:
Taylor Wilson is an applied nuclear physicist who at 14 became the youngest person to produce controlled nuclear fusion.  Taylor has since gone on to develop technology and lead research in fields including energy, advanced robotics, materials science, and biosciences. Taylor directs an interdisciplinary research program for fundamental and applied research in nuclear science as well as commercial efforts focused on scientific R&D. Taylor is also involved in space, defense, and science-driven public policy, both in the United States and around the globe, and works to infuse a curiosity for science, technology and the natural world into popular culture through outlets such as Vice on HBO and NOVA. He is the subject of the biography The Boy Who Played With Fusion.