A Swedish man who tried to set up a nuclear reactor in his home has said his experiment was “under control” but “crazy”.
Richard Handi, from Angelholm, southern Sweden, purchased nuclear materials online before attempting to split an atom in his kitchen.
After Handi had been tinkering away for about six months, police were only alerted to his wacky research when he telephoned the country’s radiation authority to check that his trials were legal.
Speaking to the BBC World Service, the unemployed 31 year-old, who had been blogging about his progress online, said he would lay off the practical assignments and stick to reading physics books from now on. Police raided his flat this week, confiscating his computer and his makeshift lab.
“I had it under control, it was not so dangerous,” he told the BBC. But added, “It was pretty stupid.” Police investigations are ongoing, but it is expected that Mr Handi will receive nothing more than a fine for undertaking the ambitious, and potentially deadly, project.