The Core Principle of Planetary Centrifuges

Wiki Article

A planetary centrifuge is a type of laboratory centrifuge that combines the features of fixed-angle rotor centrifuges and swinging-bucket centrifuges. Designed to generate a unique motion while rotating at high speed, this centrifuge enables sample tubes to spin around their own axes simultaneously with their circular motion around the centrifuge axis. This means the particles in the sample tubes are subjected to a complex force field, allowing for more efficient separation of substances with different densities.

Working Principle

The core principle of a planetary centrifuge lies in using centripetal force to separate particles of varying densities in a sample. During operation, the sample tubes rotate at high speed around the centrifuge axis while their own axes also perform circular motion, similar to the Earth rotating on its axis while revolving around the Sun. This compound motion can reduce sample sedimentation, improve separation efficiency, and help prevent excessive compaction and clogging of samples.

Main Features

High-efficiency Separation Capability: Thanks to its unique dual-rotation design, the planetary centrifuge can process samples that are difficult to separate with conventional centrifuges.

Gentle Processing Method: It is suitable for shear-sensitive samples such as cells and macromolecular structures.

Continuous Flow Operation: Certain models support continuous-flow centrifugation, making them ideal for large-scale sample processing.

Programmable Control: Users can set parameters such as rotation speed, time, and temperature as required.

Closed System: It protects samples from contamination and safeguards operators from exposure to hazardous samples.

The article is sourced from Global Factory Network