Teen builds his own nuclear fusion reactor at college as part of his A* grade in his A-levels
- A-level results: Map reveals the areas that have achieved the best exam grades
A brainy teen successfully built his own nuclear fusion reactor at college and received an A* grade.
Cesare Mencarini, 17, built the reactor to generate neutrons as part of his Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), for which he achieved an A* in his A-Level results today.
Before embarking on his ambitious project, Cesare had to convince his teachers it wasn't dangerous - and then spent another 18 months making his vision a reality.
It is believed to be only nuclear reactor built in a school environment and he showcased his work at the Cambridge Science Festival recently.
He also achieved top grades in maths, further maths, chemistry and physics while studying at Cardiff Sixth Form College in Wales.
Cesare Mencarini, 17, built the reactor to generate neutrons as part of his Extended Project Qualification
Before embarking on his ambitious project, Cesare had to convince his teachers it wasn't dangerous
Cesare plans to work at the Interface and Analysis Centre at the University of Bristol in Gloucestershire for a year before applying for a degree in engineering.
He hopes to 'encourage other young people to develop ideas' and think about how they 'can improve our world.'
Current nuclear power stations use nuclear fission, which involves splitting atoms into smaller parts to create energy.
But nuclear fusion has been hailed as a potentially planet-saving energy source, as it involves fusing atoms together, which creates a massive amount of energy.
The main problem preventing fusion from being used is the astronomical temperatures required before atoms begin joining together.
Cesare, who is from Italy, said: 'The college was initially concerned that this project, which I have also used for my EPQ, was dangerous.
'However we did full risk assessments and the staff have been so supportive.
'I had to adapt the design to fit in with the budget and my aim is to encourage other young people to develop ideas and think about how we can improve our world and be innovative.
'The purpose of the reactor is to produce the necessary conditions for fusion to take place.
Hundreds of thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland received their exam results today (Pictured: Students at the City of London Academy)
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson visits Loreto Sixth Form College on results day as students receive their grades
Kherri French (left) and Yasmin Hanachova (right) react together as they receive their A-level results this morning at Norlington School and Sixth Form in Waltham Forest, East London
'However, as we cannot get the same pressure achieved by the sun's own gravity here, we have to use a high voltage to get the atoms hot enough.'
The college's principle Dr Julian Davies described Cesare as 'outstanding' and says he will make a 'significant impact on the energy industry in the future.'
He said: 'This is an extremely exciting project and has taken one and a half years in the making.
'We want to give our students the opportunity to work on projects that interest them as well as teaching them how to pass exams and to be brave in enabling them to take risks and develop projects that are applicable to real life situations.
'Cesare has been outstanding in his work ethic and will no doubt make a significant impact on the energy industry in the future.'
Hundreds of thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland received their exam results today in a year when grading was expected to be restored to 2019 levels in all three nations.
Carys Bonell and Ava Doherty celebrate at Harris Westminster Sixth Form in London today
Hannah Greenwood reacts with her parents as she receives her results at Solihull School today
Noah Harrison receives his A-level results at Solihull School in the West Midlands this morning
Students celebrate their results at King Edward VII High School for Girls in Birmingham today
Students receive their A-Level results at the City of London Academy Highgate Hill today
More than a quarter (27.8 percent) of UK entries were awarded an A or A* grade, up by 0.6 percentage points on last year when 27.2 percent achieved the top grades.
This was also higher than in 2019 - the last year that summer exams were taken before the pandemic - when 25.4 percent of entries were awarded A or A* grades.
But the overall pass rate - the proportion of entries graded A* to E - has fallen to 97.2 percent this year, which is lower than last year (97.3 percent) and the pre-pandemic year of 2019 (97.6 percent).
The figures, published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), cover A-level entries from students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In England, exams regulator Ofqual had said it expected this year's A-level results to be 'broadly similar' to last year, when grades were restored to pre-pandemic levels.
In Wales and Northern Ireland, exam regulators said they aimed to return to pre-pandemic grading this summer - a year later than in England.
It comes after the Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in top grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams.
The number of applicants accepted on to UK degree courses has risen this year, Ucas figures show.
Overall, 243,650 18-year-old applicants from the UK have been accepted at a university or college, compared to 230,600 last year - a rise of 6 percent.
