Microcentrifuge Tubes Acceleration
Microcentrifuge Tubes use centripetal acceleration to separate particles of higher and lower density. They can be used to isolate insoluble compounds, biomolecules, or cell organelles.
Globe offers a wide range of disposable 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tubes made from high-quality polypropylene. They are autoclavable and RNase, DNase, DNA, and Pyrogen-free. The sturdy lid catch prevents accidental opening.
- Conical shape
The microcentrifuge tube is a cylindrical plastic container with a cone-shaped bottom and an integral snap cap. It’s used in molecular biology and biochemistry to store and centrifuge small amounts of liquid. Because these tubes are inexpensive and considered disposable, they’re popular among chemists and biologists in place of glass vials. They’re also convenient when a sample needs to be added in drops after pipetting or mixing.
A cone is a three-dimensional geometric figure that has a flat base and a curved surface that tapers to a point at the top, or vertex. There’s only one face and no edges for a cone, which makes it easy to identify. The radius of a cone is the distance from the center of the circular base to any point on its curved surface, and the height of a cone is the vertical distance between its vertex and the center of the base.
In math, a conical shape distributes weight evenly over its surface, which is why it’s often found in tall structures such as lighthouses and wind turbines. It’s also used in aerodynamic design to reduce wind resistance and drag, which is why rockets, airplanes, and missiles often have a conical shape.
Laboratory centrifuges are motor-driven pieces of equipment that spin liquid samples at high speeds to separate substances of different densities. The force of centrifugation causes the heavier particles in a sample to settle at the bottom of the container, while the lighter particles rise to the top. Laboratory centrifuges are available in a wide range of sizes and speed, depending on the amount of material that must be processed.
The load in a laboratory centrifuge must be carefully balanced to avoid damage to the machine or injury to people working nearby. This is because a centrifuge’s rotor turns at a very fast speed, so even a small difference in mass can cause the rotor to become unbalanced. This can strain the rotor or cause it to crash into the container. This problem can be avoided by placing blanks or samples of equal mass opposite each other.
- Caps
A microcentrifuge tube’s cap helps to secure the sample inside. This prevents the loss of valuable or hazardous materials during centrifuging and other laboratory procedures. The caps are designed to fit tightly over the tubes, but not so tight that they’re difficult to remove when necessary. They’re also durable and can withstand the rigors of the lab environment.
Our multipurpose microcentrifuge tubes come with a variety of caps to meet any application, including screw-caps and snap-on lids. They’re made from robust virgin polypropylene and are tough and sturdy. They’re designed to handle the most challenging laboratory procedures, including handling and transporting hazardous or valuable samples and reagents. These tubes can be frozen, boiled and autoclaved, and even irradiated without sacrificing their structural integrity or affecting the safety of the contents.
These sterile, clear polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes are suitable for processing and storage of small volume samples, reagents, extracts, or cells. They’re manufactured using state-of-the-art product equipment housed in a positive pressure HEPA filtered environment and are certified contaminant free. They are RNase, DNase, and Pyrogen free. They have crisp printed graduations and are capable of surviving centrifugation up to 22,000xg.
The polypropylene used in our microcentrifuge tubes is a pure, inert material that’s resistant to most chemical reagents and can be sterilized by boiling or autoclaving. The tubes’ external threads help minimize contamination and material hang-up, and they’re easy to open with one hand. Their wide rim enables the cap to be easily gripped.
Our high-quality disposable microcentrifuge tubes are available in both polypropylene and polyethylene, and they’re molded to fit all standard fixed angle head microcentrifuges. They’re capable of enduring up to 22,000 xG during centrifugation and can be autoclaved at 130oC. The caps are molded to match the serrations on the tubes’ bottoms, and they have a tight seal that prevents leakage. They’re RNase, DNase, and pyrogen free and contaminant free. The molded ribs on the tubes’ tops match the serrations on our microcentrifuge racks (SKU# 4214). The rounded bottom of the tube makes it safe to use with pipette or syringe.
- Screw cap
The screw cap used on microcentrifuge tubes is made of polypropylene. This material is resistant to most chemical reagents, including organic solvents such as chloroform and acetone. It also has a wide temperature range, allowing it to work well under different conditions in the lab. The cap is easy to open and close, and has a lock function that prevents accidental opening during centrifugation. It also has a broad beveled rim that distributes opening forces for comfort when handling.
The design of the cap creates an excellent seal that protects the contents from contaminants. It is also suitable for boiling and centrifugation, so it is ideal for use with serums and blood samples. These features make the screw cap a good choice for use in molecular biology and biochemistry applications.
In addition to its versatility, the screw cap is easily sterilized. This is important because it helps to ensure that the microcentrifuge tube will be sterile when it is used for an experiment. Using a microcentrifuge without a properly sterilized lid can result in cross-contamination and spoilage of the samples.
Some types of screw caps are designed to be tamper-evident, meaning that they have a visible ring that breaks when the cap is first opened. This allows the user to check that the sample has not been tampered with. These types of caps are particularly useful for applications that involve dangerous chemicals, such as medicines and motor oils.
Another type of screw cap is the tamper-evident crimp cap. This has a similar tamper-evident feature, but it uses an internal silicone seal to protect the sample. This type of cap is particularly suitable for applications that require a high level of security, such as storage in liquid nitrogen.
AHN myLab offers two types of microcentrifuge, the 6000 rpm and the 15000 rpm model. Both are designed to be easy to program and operate. They have large, easy-to-read displays and a compact footprint on the benchtop. Both models are capable of running 8 x 1.5/2 mL microcentrifuge tubes, plus adaptors for 0.2/0.4 mL tubes. They are also able to be locked until the programmed run is complete, and will not run if the lid has been opened during operation.
- Relative centrifugal force (RCF)
As centrifugation speeds increase, the relative centrifugal force (RCF) exerted on samples grows exponentially. The RCF is the g force generated by the spinning rotor and is dependent on several factors, including the radius of the rotor, the design of the rotor, and the speed of rotation (in revolutions per minute – RPM).
Since a centrifuge’s g force depends on all of these variables, it is important to use accurate calibrations. It is also essential to keep up with routine maintenance, especially cleaning and adjusting the rotor and/or basket. Running an uncalibrated centrifuge at high-speeds can lead to significant damage and injury.
During centrifugation, sample components separate according to their density and mass. The more dense components will sink while lighter ones float to the top of the sample. Depending on the assays conducted, these components can be separated into different liquids for further analysis. For example, a whole blood sample may be centrifuged to separate serum from plasma. This process removes the clot and leaves a supernatant of plasma that is free of cellular debris.
Microcentrifuge tubes are available in a variety of sizes that can accommodate various volume samples. Choosing the correct size tube will help prevent samples from spilling during centrifugation. Generally, it is best to only use tubes that are at least 3/4 full to avoid unnecessary material stress and possible tube failure.
Camlab stock a range of disposable microcentrifuge tubes in both polypropylene and polyethylene. These graduated, conical tubes are offered in various sizes with attached or loose caps and can be autoclaved to 130degC. They also feature uniform lid thickness, a tight-fitting, leak-free seal, and high clarity.
The relative centrifugal force is measured by a formula that calculates the gravitational acceleration on particles, which is equal to their mass times their acceleration. This is known as Newton’s Second Law of Motion. In a laboratory, it is often measured in g. RPM refers to a centrifuge’s speed and is converted to g by multiplying it by the radius of the rotor, which is dependent on the rotor’s design.