A Chinese father-and-son duo established a home laboratory to create miniature models of China’s significant national strategic hardware, captivating many online with their skill and passion.

Duan Yanjuan, a 13-year-old second-year junior secondary school student in Shanghai, has already replicated turbojet engines, pulse detonation engines, and an electromagnetic aircraft launch system, with assistance from his father, Duan Changzhi.

The inspiration for replicating the electromagnetic aircraft launch system stemmed from news coverage of the Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian’s sea trial in 2024.

He was thrilled to witness the system used by the advanced carrier. For both him and his father, crafting models from scratch served as an educational experience to understand how the system functions.

It took the duo a year to successfully replicate the system, composed of an accelerating mechanism powered by 100 electromagnetic coils and a power recycling system designed to recover surplus electricity.

They revealed that their next project would involve replicating a turbofan engine. Their goal is to create a miniature replica of one significant piece of Chinese national strategic machinery each year.

Both Duan senior and his wife fully support their son’s hobby. They allocated a 10-square-metre space in their 63-square-metre flat as their home laboratory, where various replicas have been crafted over the past few years. Moreover, Duan senior has been guiding his son in scientific experiments since he was just three years old.

Graduating with degrees in communication engineering and law from the prestigious Tongji University, Duan senior noted that he had to acquire substantial knowledge in physics and aerodynamics to understand the functioning of engines and systems.

The family has also invested 200,000 yuan (US$30,000) in materials and equipment, including a 280mm aperture planetary telescope and a solar telescope, to inspire Duan junior’s interest in the universe.

Additionally, the family hosts three open days each year to showcase their creations, welcoming over 40 neighbouring families to their home lab.

Duan junior introduces their replicas and the operating principles behind those systems to his peers and guides other children in conducting scientific experiments.

He also occasionally shares videos online where he presents their projects. One video of him explaining a turbojet garnered 90,000 likes and 10,000 comments.

Despite dedicating significant time to their scientific endeavours, Duan junior’s school, Shanghai Jincai North Secondary School, is supportive as it prioritises STEM education and encourages students to be curious and experimental.

In addition to scientific education, Duan senior consistently teaches his son about patriotism, hoping he becomes “a useful person for the country and society.”Duan junior expressed his ambition to study national defence science and technology at a military academy in the future.

“Children’s interests and enthusiasm should be cherished and supported, as they can influence them for life,” commented one online observer.

“I can already see a future scientist in him. Keep up the great work!” praised another.