{
  "id": 18784626,
  "title": "Meet Rodion Zaichikov, 15, who built 3,000°C wind tunnel and won science prize",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/meet-rodion-zaichikov-15-who-built-3-000-c-wind-tunnel-and-won",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-07T20:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/discovery/meet-15-year-old-rodion-zaichikov-the-luxembourg-student-who-built-an-arc-jet-wind-tunnel-to-test-a-scramjet-above-3000c-and-won-the-ellison-scholars-prize-at-europes-young-scientist-contest/articleshow/135629543.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In September 2026, 15-year-old Rodion Zaichikov from Luxembourg emerged victorious at the 37th European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Kiel, Germany. He secured the prestigious Ellison Scholars Prize for his innovative project titled \"Expanding low-cost hypersonic wind tunnel with arc jet capabilities.\" This extraordinary achievement showcases the remarkable curiosity and ingenuity of the young scientist, who built a wind tunnel capable of temperatures soaring up to 3,000°C to test scramjet technology.\n\nZaichikov's fascination with arc jets began after watching a video of one in action. Instead of merely admiring the technology, he envisioned building his own. An arc jet uses electrical energy to heat a gas to extreme temperatures, simulating the harsh conditions experienced during hypersonic flight. To create a test device that could replicate these conditions, Zaichikov combined this technology with a specially designed nozzle.\n\nThe significance of Zaichikov's project lies in its potential to make hypersonic technology more accessible. High-speed flight conditions, characterized by shock waves, intense heating, and complex airflow patterns, pose significant challenges for researchers. Wind tunnels and arc jets are essential tools for investigating these phenomena, as they enable scientists to test materials and engines under conditions that would be dangerous or impractical in a real flight test. However, access to such equipment is often limited and expensive, making it difficult for smaller research groups and startups to explore hypersonic technology.\n\nIn his project, Zaichikov faced numerous challenges, including constructing a vacuum chamber that kept leaking and finding a suitable material to maintain an airtight seal. He also developed his own Schlieren imaging system, a technique used to visualize changes in air density. This innovative approach allowed him to observe shock waves and density variations associated with high-speed airflow, which are typically invisible to the naked eye.\n\nZaichikov's journey in science began at the age of 11 when he first caught the attention of the Fondation Jeunes Scientifiques Luxembourg (FJSL). Since then, he has been actively involved in various science programs and represented Luxembourg at international events. His achievements include visits to the Eurospace Center in 2022, participation in the Mobisciences programme in Morocco in 2023, winning the best international project at the Mostra Nacional de Ciência in Portugal in 2024, and receiving an engineering award at the Taiwan International Science Fair in 2025. The EUCYS prize in 2026 marked yet another significant milestone in his budding scientific career.\n\nFor Zaichikov, the prize is merely the beginning of his scientific journey. He expresses a strong interest in further developing his ideas, with a long-term ambition of creating a fully controllable vehicle capable of returning to Earth. This ambitious goal, even for an experienced aerospace engineer, highlights the immense potential and curiosity of a 15-year-old scientist who continues to push the boundaries of what is possible.",
  "summary": "At just 15 years old, Rodion Zaichikov has made waves in the scientific community with his innovative arc-jet wind tunnel designed for scramjet testing, which earned him the prestigious Ellison Scholars Prize at Germany's European Union Contest for Young Scientists. By creating equipment to mimic extreme flight conditions—typically costly and hard to access—Zaichikov showcases his dedication to…",
  "key_points": [
    "15-year-old Rodion Zaichikov from Luxembourg wins Ellison Scholars Prize at EUCYS 2026",
    "Builds 3,000°C wind tunnel to test scramjet technology",
    "Project aims to make hypersonic technology more accessible"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}