Safety is the core of centrifuge experimental operations.

　　 Centrifuge There are a hundred ways to operate, and when it comes to centrifuge experiments, the possibilities are virtually limitless—but none of them can ever stray from one crucial point: safety!

　　The primary concern when using a centrifuge is safety! Loss of control can cause significant damage! Therefore, be sure to check whether the centrifuge tubes are balanced, whether the rotation speed exceeds the set limit, and whether the rotor shows any signs of corrosion.

　　It is strictly prohibited to allow any liquids or other foreign objects to enter the centrifuge chamber. Otherwise, the main unit could be damaged. The casing must be properly grounded to prevent accidental malfunctions caused by moisture affecting the entire machine. While the rotor is spinning at high speed, do not open the top cover at will. If an error occurs during setup, the system will automatically sound an alarm to remind you to reconfigure the settings.

　　Currently, electric centrifuges are commonly used in laboratories. Given their high rotational speeds, it is crucial to pay close attention to safety. In particular, one must prevent the centrifuge from moving or even falling off the lab bench during operation due to imbalance or aging of the tube holders. Additionally, ensure that the lid is securely closed to avoid centrifuge tubes bursting from vibration, with glass fragments flying out and potentially causing accidents. Therefore, when using a centrifuge, you must pay careful attention to the following procedures:

　　(1) The bottom of the centrifuge tube sleeve must be padded with cotton or a test-tube pad.

　　(2) If the electric centrifuge makes noise or the machine body vibrates, immediately disconnect the power supply and promptly troubleshoot the issue.

　　(3) Centrifuge tubes must be placed symmetrically in the rotor to prevent vibration of the machine. If there is only one sample tube, the other tube should be replaced with an equal amount of water.

　　(4) When starting the centrifuge, you must first close the top cover before slowly starting it up.

　　(5) After the separation is complete, first turn off the centrifuge. Only after the centrifuge has come to a complete stop may you open the centrifuge lid and remove the sample. Do not use external force to forcibly stop the centrifuge from rotating.

　　(6) The centrifugation time is generally 1 to 2 minutes; during this period, the experimenter must not leave to attend to other tasks.

　　Also, be sure to choose based on your own needs—don’t just follow others and buy whatever model they recommend. Shop within your means. Next, let me share with you the key aspects you should pay attention to.

　　I. Rotational Speed

　　From this perspective, centrifuges can be categorized into three types: low-speed centrifuges, high-speed centrifuges, and ultrahigh-speed centrifuges. Generally, centrifuges operating below 10,000 rpm are classified as low-speed, those above 10,000 rpm are considered high-speed, and those with speeds exceeding 30,000 rpm are classified as ultrahigh-speed. Choose the appropriate model based on your specific needs.

　　II. Size and Volume

　　In general, centrifuges can be categorized into floor-standing centrifuges and benchtop centrifuges. Moreover, the larger the volume of a centrifuge, the larger its rotor chamber, and consequently, the greater its capacity for sample processing.

　　III. Different Rotors

　　Centrifuge rotors can be categorized into angle rotors and horizontal rotors. When stationary, a horizontal rotor is in a vertical position; once it starts rotating, the rotor basket assumes a horizontal orientation, positioned at a right angle to the rotor axis. When using a horizontal rotor for centrifugation, samples typically settle at the bottom of the centrifuge tube. In contrast, an angle rotor maintains a fixed angle relative to the rotor axis; after centrifugation, samples usually sediment both at the bottom and along the side walls of the centrifuge tube. Generally, low-speed centrifuges are more commonly equipped with horizontal rotors, whereas high-speed centrifuges invariably require angle rotors to achieve speeds exceeding 10,000 rpm.

　　Finally, regarding the comparison between imported and domestically produced centrifuges, today’s domestically manufactured centrifuges are by no means inferior. Moreover, as domestic centrifuge technology continues to mature, the gap between domestic and foreign models has become less pronounced. Therefore, when making a purchase, there’s no need to blindly “fawn over foreign brands”—the key is to choose according to your own capabilities.