Editing Centrifuge (section)

== Uses ==

=== Laboratory separations ===
{{main|Laboratory centrifuge}}
[[File:FDA Mobile Lab 4008 (4460533736).jpg|thumb|Samples placed in a small laboratory centrifuge]]
A wide variety of laboratory-scale centrifuges are used in chemistry, biology, biochemistry and [[clinical medicine]] for isolating and separating suspensions and immiscible liquids. They vary widely in speed, capacity, temperature control, and other characteristics. Laboratory centrifuges often can accept a range of different fixed-angle and swinging bucket rotors able to carry different numbers of centrifuge tubes and rated for specific maximum speeds. Controls vary from simple electrical timers to programmable models able to control acceleration and deceleration rates, running speeds, and temperature regimes. Ultracentrifuges spin the rotors under vacuum, eliminating air resistance and enabling exact temperature control. [[Zonal rotor]]s and [[continuous flow]] systems are capable of handing bulk and larger sample volumes, respectively, in a laboratory-scale instrument.<ref name=":0" />

[[File:Blood Research- Saving Lives (8384) (9759061442).jpg|thumb|Whole blood is often separated, using a centrifuge, into components for storage and transport]]
An application in laboratories is blood separation. Blood separates into cells and proteins (RBC, WBC, platelets, etc.) and serum. [[DNA]] preparation is another common application for pharmacogenetics and clinical diagnosis. DNA samples are purified and the DNA is prepped for separation by adding buffers and then centrifuging it for a certain amount of time. The blood waste is then removed and another buffer is added and spun inside the centrifuge again. Once the blood waste is removed and another buffer is added the pellet can be suspended and cooled. Proteins can then be removed and the entire thing can be centrifuged again and the DNA can be isolated completely. Specialized [[cytocentrifuge]]s are used in medical and biological laboratories to concentrate cells for microscopic examination.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stokes |first1=Barry O. |year=2004 |title=Principles of Cytocentrifugation |journal=Laboratory Medicine |volume=35 |issue=7 |pages=434–437 |issn=0007-5027 |doi=10.1309/FTT59GWKDWH69FB0 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Isotope separation ===
{{main|Gas centrifuge}}
Other centrifuges, the first being the [[Zippe-type centrifuge]], separate [[isotope]]s,<ref>{{Cite book |title=Iran's Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Real and Potential Threat |last1=Cordesman|first1=Anthony H.|last2=Al-Rodhan |first2=Khalid R.|date=2006 |publisher=CSIS |isbn=9780892064854 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dZy0nElLHJsC&pg=PA95 |access-date=2018-03-25}}</ref> and these kinds of centrifuges are in use in [[nuclear power]] and [[nuclear weapon]] programs.

=== Aeronautics and astronautics ===
{{main|High-g training}}
[[File:20G centrifuge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|The 20 g centrifuge at the [[Ames Research Center|NASA Ames Research Center]]]]
'''Human centrifuges''' are exceptionally large centrifuges that test the reactions and tolerance of [[aviator|pilots]] and [[astronaut]]s to acceleration above those experienced in the Earth's [[gravity]].{{cn|date=March 2025}}

The first centrifuges used for human research were used by [[Erasmus Darwin]], the grandfather of [[Charles Darwin]]. The first large-scale human centrifuge designed for aeronautical training was created in Germany in 1933.<ref>{{cite web |author=Meeker |first=Larry J. |title=Human Centrifuges in Research and Training |url=http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a236267.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225046/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a236267.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-03}}</ref>

The [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] at Brooks City Base, Texas, operates a human centrifuge while awaiting completion of the new human centrifuge in construction at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base|Wright-Patterson AFB]], Ohio. The centrifuge at Brooks City Base is operated by the [[United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine]] for the purpose of training and evaluating prospective fighter pilots for high-''g'' flight in Air Force fighter aircraft.<ref name=Hypergravity>{{cite web |title=The Pull of HyperGravity – A NASA researcher is studying the strange effects of artificial gravity on humans. |url=https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2003/07feb_stronggravity/ |publisher=NASA |access-date=11 March 2012 |archive-date=16 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316183032/http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2003/07feb_stronggravity/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The use of large centrifuges to simulate a feeling of [[gravity]] has been proposed for future long-duration space missions. Exposure to this [[Artificial gravity#Rotation|simulated gravity]] would prevent or reduce the [[bone decalcification]] and [[muscle atrophy]] that affect individuals exposed to long periods of freefall.<ref name=Hypergravity /><ref name=Space>{{cite news |last=Hsu |first=Jeremy |title=New Artificial Gravity Tests in Space Could Help Astronauts |url=http://www.space.com/8384-artificial-gravity-tests-space-astronauts.html |work=Space.com |access-date=11 March 2012 |archive-date=7 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307065844/http://www.space.com/8384-artificial-gravity-tests-space-astronauts.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Non-Human centrifuge'''

At the European Space Agency (ESA) technology center ESTEC (in Noordwijk, the Netherlands), an {{Convert|8|m|adj=on}} diameter centrifuge is used to expose samples in fields of life sciences as well as physical sciences. This [[Large diameter centrifuge|Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC)]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=van Loon |first1=Jack J.W.A. |url=http://cdsads.u-strasbg.fr/pdf/2008ESASP.663E..92V |title=THE LARGE DIAMETER CENTRIFUGE, LDC, FOR LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY |last2=Krausse |first2=Jutta |last3=Cunha |first3=Humberto |last4=Goncalves |first4=Joao |last5=Almeida |first5=Hugo |last6=Schiller |first6=Peter |date=June 2008 |journal="Life in Space for Life on Earth": Proceedings of the Symposium 22–27 June 2008, Angers, France |volume=553 |page=92 |publisher=European Space Agency |isbn=978-92-9221-227-8 |editor-last=Ouwehand |editor-first=L. |bibcode=2008ESASP.663E..92V}}</ref> began operation in 2007. Samples can be exposed to a maximum of 20 times Earth's gravity. With its four arms and six freely swinging out gondolas it is possible to expose samples with different g-levels at the same time. Gondolas can be fixed at eight different positions. Depending on their locations one could e.g. run an experiment at 5 and 10g in the same run. Each gondola can hold an experiment of a maximum {{Convert|80|kg}}. Experiments performed in this facility ranged from zebra fish, metal alloys, plasma,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Šperka |first1=Jiří |last2=Souček |first2=Pavel |last3=Loon |first3=Jack J. W. A. Van |last4=Dowson |first4=Alan |last5=Schwarz |first5=Christian |last6=Krause |first6=Jutta |last7=Kroesen |first7=Gerrit |last8=Kudrle|first8=Vít |date=2013-12-01 |title=Hypergravity effects on glide arc plasma |journal=The European Physical Journal D |volume=67 |issue=12 |pages=261 |doi=10.1140/epjd/e2013-40408-7 |issn=1434-6060 |s2cid=54539341 |bibcode=2013EPJD...67..261S |url=https://is.muni.cz/repo/1137458 |access-date=2018-12-26 |archive-date=2021-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308144821/https://is.muni.cz/repo/1137458 |url-status=live}}</ref> cells,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Szulcek |first1=Robert |last2=Bezu |first2=Jan van |last3=Boonstra |first3=Johannes |last4=Loon |first4=Jack J. W. A. van |last5=Amerongen |first5=Geerten P. van Nieuw|date=2015-12-04 |title=Transient Intervals of Hyper-Gravity Enhance Endothelial Barrier Integrity: Impact of Mechanical and Gravitational Forces Measured Electrically |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=10 |issue=12 |pages=e0144269 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0144269 |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=4670102 |pmid=26637177 |bibcode=2015PLoSO..1044269S |doi-access=free}}</ref> liquids, Planaria,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Adell |first1=Teresa |last2=Saló |first2=Emili |last3=Loon |first3=Jack J. W. A. van |last4=Auletta |first4=Gennaro |date=2014-09-17 |title=Planarians Sense Simulated Microgravity and Hypergravity |journal=BioMed Research International |volume=2014 |pages=679672 |doi=10.1155/2014/679672 |issn=2314-6133 |pmc=4182696 |pmid=25309918 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Drosophila<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Serrano |first1=Paloma |last2=van Loon |first2=Jack J. W. A. |last3=Medina |first3=F. Javier |last4=Herranz |first4=Raúl |date=27 November 2012 |title=Relation Between Motility, Accelerated Aging and Gene Expression in Selected Drosophila Strains under Hypergravity Conditions |journal=Microgravity Science and Technology |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=67–72 |doi=10.1007/s12217-012-9334-5 |hdl=10261/99914 |s2cid=2121465 |issn=0938-0108|hdl-access=free}}</ref> or plants.

=== Industrial centrifugal separator ===
Industrial centrifugal separator is a coolant filtration system for separating particles from liquid like, grinding machining coolant. It is usually used for non-ferrous particles separation such as, silicon, glass, ceramic, and graphite etc. The filtering process does not require any consumption parts like filter bags, which saves the earth from harm.<ref>{{cite web|title=What is an Industrial Centrifuge? An industrial centrifuge is a machine used for fluid/particle sep|url=http://kytecentrifuge.com/centrifuge/|website=KYTE|access-date=21 September 2017|archive-date=21 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921095954/http://kytecentrifuge.com/centrifuge/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chip Removal Centrifugal Machine|url=https://www.chinminn.com/en/product/centrifugal-separator/automatic-chip-removal-centrifugal-machine|website=Chinminn|access-date=7 January 2020|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812014954/https://www.chinminn.com/en/product/centrifugal-separator/automatic-chip-removal-centrifugal-machine|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Geotechnical centrifuge modeling===
[[Geotechnical centrifuge modeling]] is used for physical testing of models involving soils. Centrifuge acceleration is applied to scale models to scale the gravitational acceleration and enable prototype scale stresses to be obtained in scale models. Problems such as building and bridge foundations, earth dams, tunnels, and slope stability, including effects such as blast loading and earthquake shaking.<ref name=KOWACO>{{cite book |title=Physical Modelling in Geotechnics: proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics |author1=C. W. W. Ng |author2=Y. H. Wang |author3=L. M. Zhang |year=2006 |page=135 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mzQlFBqJC1wC&pg=RA1-PA186 |isbn=978-0-415-41586-6 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |access-date=2016-11-02 |archive-date=2021-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308042550/https://books.google.com/books?id=mzQlFBqJC1wC&pg=RA1-PA186 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Synthesis of materials===
High gravity conditions generated by centrifuge are applied in the chemical industry, casting, and material synthesis.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal |last1=Yin |first1=Xi |last2=Chen pramodn |last3=Zhou |first3=Heping |last4=Ning |first4=Xiaoshan |title=Combustion Synthesis of Ti3SiC2/TiC Composites from Elemental Powders under High-Gravity Conditions |journal=Journal of the American Ceramic Society |date=August 2010 |volume=93 |issue=8 |pages=2182–2187 |doi=10.1111/j.1551-2916.2010.03714.x}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mesquita |first1=R.A. |last2=Leiva |first2=D.R. |last3=Yavari |first3=A.R. |last4=Botta Filho |first4=W.J. |title=Microstructures and mechanical properties of bulk AlFeNd(Cu,Si) alloys obtained through centrifugal force casting |journal=Materials Science and Engineering: A|date=April 2007 |volume=452–453 |pages=161–169 |doi=10.1016/j.msea.2006.10.082}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chen |first1=Jian-Feng |last2=Wang |first2=Yu-Hong |last3=Guo |first3=Fen |last4=Wang |first4=Xin-Ming |last5=Zheng |first5=Chong |title=Synthesis of Nanoparticles with Novel Technology: High-Gravity Reactive Precipitation |journal=Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research |date=April 2000 |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=948–954 |doi=10.1021/ie990549a}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Abe |first1=Yoshiyuki |last2=Maizza |first2=Giovanni |last3=Bellingeri |first3=Stefano |last4=Ishizuka |first4=Masao |last5=Nagasaka |first5=Yuji |last6=Suzuki |first6=Tetsuya |title=Diamond synthesis by high-gravity d.c. plasma cvd (hgcvd) with active control of the substrate temperature |journal=Acta Astronautica |date=January 2001 |volume=48 |issue=2–3 |pages=121–127 |doi=10.1016/S0094-5765(00)00149-1 |bibcode=2001AcAau..48..121A}}</ref> The convection and mass transfer are greatly affected by the gravitational condition. Researchers reported that the high-gravity level can effectively affect the phase composition and morphology of the products.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

=== Commercial applications ===
[[File:Sugarcentrifuge.JPG|thumb|upright|Sugar centrifugal machines for separating sugar crystals]]
* Standalone centrifuges for drying (hand-washed) clothes – usually with a water outlet.
* [[Washing machine]]s are designed to act as centrifuges to get rid of excess water in laundry loads.
* Centrifuges are used in the attraction [[Mission: SPACE]], located at [[Epcot]] in [[Walt Disney World]], which propels riders using a combination of a centrifuge and a [[motion simulator]] to simulate the feeling of going into [[space]].
* In [[soil mechanics]], centrifuges utilize centrifugal acceleration to match soil stresses in a scale model to those found in reality.
* Large industrial centrifuges are commonly used in [[water]] and [[wastewater]] treatment to dry [[sludge]]s. The resulting dry product is often termed '''cake''', and the water leaving a centrifuge after most of the solids have been removed is called '''centrate'''.
* Large industrial centrifuges are also used in the [[oil industry]] to remove solids from the [[drilling fluid]].
* Disc-stack centrifuges used by some companies in the [[oil sands]] industry to separate small amounts of water and solids from [[bitumen]]
* Centrifuges are used to separate cream (remove fat) from milk; see [[Separator (milk)]].