Centrifuges
Centrifuges
Centrifuges (pronunciation: /ˈsɛntrɪfjuːdʒ/) are laboratory devices used to separate fluids, gas or liquid, based on density. Separation is achieved by spinning a vessel containing material at high speed; the centrifugal force pushes heavier materials to the outside of the vessel.
Etymology
The term "centrifuge" comes from the Latin centrum, meaning "center", and fugere, meaning "to flee".
Types of Centrifuges
There are several types of centrifuges, which are classified based on their size and the sample capacity. Some of the most common types include:
- Microcentrifuges: These are small, benchtop devices used in laboratories to spin small amounts of biological material for microscopic analysis.
- Ultracentrifuges: These are large devices that can generate very high speeds and are used in the study of macromolecules and organelles.
- Refrigerated Centrifuges: These are used when the sample needs to be kept at a low temperature during the process.
Related Terms
- Centrifugation: The process of using a centrifuge to separate particles from a solution according to their size, shape, density, viscosity of the medium, and rotor speed.
- Sedimentation: The process by which particles settle to the bottom of a liquid.
- Density Gradient Centrifugation: A technique used to separate particles according to their densities.
Applications
Centrifuges are used in many different fields, including:
- Biology: Centrifuges are used to separate different components of cells for further analysis.
- Chemistry: Centrifuges are used to separate particles from solutions or mixtures.
- Medicine: Centrifuges are used in medical laboratories for the preparation of samples.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Centrifuges
- Wikipedia's article - Centrifuges
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski