What Is a Centrifuge Used For?

Because centrifuge machines are excellent at separating particles by density, they are often found in laboratory settings where it is necessary to isolate certain biological components for testing.

In a blood sample, for instance, there are red blood cells and plasma mixed together. After centrifugation, the red blood cells will be at the bottom of the tube and the plasma will be on top.

Centrifuging is necessary for research on particular components, such as separating out blood plasma for testing, isolating DNA, and even separating out urine sediment.

How Does a Centrifuge Work?

The purpose of the centrifuge machine is to replicate and accelerate centrifuging to separate components in a sample. Because of the forces involved, these machines are carefully designed to work efficiently while keeping the operator safe.