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Centrifugation

Centrifugation

Centrifugation is a separation technique based on differences in density or size. It is commonly used to separate solids from aqueous interferents. During centrifugation, the sample is placed in centrifugation tubes and spun at high angular velocity, which allows centrifugal force to act differentially on the different densities or masses of the components. After spinning, the supernatant liquid is decanted. Depending on the specific application, either the pellet or the supernatant is retained...

Overview Of Cell Separation And Isolation

Overview Of Cell Separation And Isolation

Cell separation was first achieved in 1964 by S. H. Seal, who separated large tumor cells from the smaller blood cells using filtration. Two years later, Pohl and Hawk performed experiments on how cells respond differently to a nonuniform electric field based on the cell type. Such observations were the inception of cell separation methods, which allow isolating a single cell type from a heterogeneous sample.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Automated Counterflow Centrifugal System for Small-Scale Cell Processing

Automated Counterflow Centrifugal System for Small-Scale Cell Processing

Published on: December 12, 2019

A flexible cell concentrator using inertial focusing.

Chunglong Tu^1,2,3, Jian Zhou^4,5,6, Yitao Liang^1,2,3

¹Biosensor National Special Laboratory, Key Laboratory of BME of the Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.

Biomedical Microdevices

|September 13, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a cost-efficient inertial microfluidic device for cell concentration, offering reduced cell loss and improved viability compared to traditional centrifuges.

Keywords:

Automated cell concentration Centrifuge Hep G2 cells Inertial focusing Lab on a chip Microfluidic concentrator channel resistances

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Last Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Automated Counterflow Centrifugal System for Small-Scale Cell Processing

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Published on: December 12, 2019

Microfluidic Buffer Exchange for Interference-free Micro/Nanoparticle Cell Engineering

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Merging Ion Concentration Polarization between Juxtaposed Ion Exchange Membranes to Block the Propagation of the Polarization Zone

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Published on: February 23, 2017

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Microfluidics
Cell Biology

Background:

Cell concentration is crucial in research and clinical labs.
Centrifugation is common but has drawbacks like cost, low resolution, and sample damage.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a cost-efficient alternative to centrifugation for cell concentration.
To investigate the role of outlet systems in inertial microfluidic device performance.

Main Methods:

Utilized inertial microfluidics with a focus on outlet system design.
Developed an inertial device with selectable outlets.
Tested the device with microparticles and Hep G2 cells.

Main Results:

Achieved automated cell concentration modification with significantly reduced cell loss (4.2% vs. ~40% for centrifuge).
Demonstrated better cell viability, reduced processing time, and increased reproducibility.
Showcased effectiveness for highly concentrated samples (up to 1.8 x 10^6 cells/ml).

Conclusions:

Inertial microfluidics, particularly the outlet system, offers a superior alternative to centrifugation for cell concentration.
The developed device provides automated, efficient, and reproducible sample preparation.
This technology has promising applications in repetitive sample preparation workflows.