Centrifugation was first used in the mid-1400s for processes such as milk separation using hand-driven machines and reached speeds up to 3000 revolutions per minute. Now, centrifugation is a process used in countless laboratory protocols for separation of biologic materials such as DNA, red blood cells, organelles, virus particles, and cellular debris. For a lab in need of a centrifuge, there are many options to consider before purchasing. The centrifuge is an investment in the success and reproducibility of your lab’s experimentation or routine procedures. Capacity, speeds, and refrigeration are all obvious considerations when choosing a centrifuge. This article highlights less obvious but important considerations when deciding on a centrifuge to invest in.
Response to Off-Balance Runs—An undetected off-balance run on an ultracentrifuge can result in mass destruction of the centrifuge, lab, and any person who is unfortunate enough to be near it. Off-balance runs can destroy any type of centrifuge and must be avoided to preserve the life of your investment. Look for a centrifuge with automatic off-balance detection, which immediately stops the run when inadequate balance is detected. This feature is a modern must-have safeguard to protect the centrifuge and its users.
Rotor Options and Ease of Switching—The option to use multiple rotors with one centrifuge has been available for decades. However, many models require extra tools, awkward handling, and manual rotor selection within the software. Incorrect installation of the rotor can cause the rotor to become unstable and result in destruction of the centrifuge and failed experimentation. Ideally, rotor installation would require no tools and have automatic detection by the software. These features are available on contemporary centrifuges and can save researchers time and trouble.
Reliable Maintenance—Undoubtedly your centrifuge will need maintenance throughout the years. Some manufacturers recommend annual servicing of centrifuges to ensure that the unit is operating safely and properly. Cleaning of condenser coils, filters, and fan screens as well as checking of the brushes, bearings, timer, temperature, and speed are all considerations for annual maintenance. When deciding on a centrifuge to purchase, the customer service and expertise of technicians from the purchasing company should be a substantial consideration. Whether it is routine maintenance or a repair due to user error, it is critical for a trusted professional to assess and fix the problem. The headache of maintenance will be mitigated by choosing to purchase from a company with a high level of customer service.
Ease of Routine Cleaning—Cleaning the centrifuge removes substances like dust and debris that can migrate into critical mechanical areas, causing wear, affecting the integrity of the device, creating potential contamination of future samples, or posing a risk to users. Before purchasing, it is important to consider the difficulty of cleaning to make sure that you can efficiently protect your investment. What cleaning materials, both cleaner and application medium, are required for the various centrifuge parts? Are the rotors amenable to autoclaving or caustic cleaning liquids? Using incorrect cleaning methods could cause damage to the centrifuge.
Availability of Replacement Parts—In addition to removable rotors, centrifuges can also have frequently removed parts such as buckets and lids, which can sometimes be easily broken or lost. The availability of replacement parts should be a consideration when purchasing a centrifuge. It is especially important when considering the purchase of a used centrifuge, as older parts may not be available anymore. Centrifuge lids can be especially bothersome, as they are not only frequently lost and broken, but also forgotten about before starting a run. A removable lid is non-ideal and generally eliminated from newer centrifuges.
Extra Features of an Excellent Centrifuge—Centrifuges are now available with many features that make the centrifugation process easier and more robust. One important feature is the ability to choose the rate of acceleration and deceleration. This can be especially important when working with sensitive cell lines such as stem cells. Another useful feature is the ability to save multiple processes that can be easily called on for higher reproducibility and ease of use. Touchscreens, acknowledgement of finished runs, and logs of past runs are also useful features that can be found in modern centrifuges.