Ultracentrifuges

Common Applications

Ultracentrifuges generate extremely high g-forces that enable separation of particles based on size, density, and molecular weight. Common applications include:

Viral vector purification
Exosome and extracellular vesicle isolation
Lipoprotein separation
Protein purification
Density gradient centrifugation
Biopharmaceutical process development

Ultracentrifuges are designed for advanced sample separation applications that require extremely high centrifugal forces and precise control. Used in biopharmaceutical research, virology, proteomics, genomics, and nanoparticle characterization, ultracentrifugation enables scientists to isolate, purify, and analyze particles that cannot be separated using conventional centrifuges.

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences ultracentrifuges combine high-speed performance, innovative rotor technologies, and intuitive operation to support demanding research and manufacturing workflows. Whether your application involves viral vector purification, extracellular vesicle isolation, or density gradient separations, our ultracentrifuge portfolio provides scalable solutions from benchtop systems to high-capacity floor models.

Explore our range of ultracentrifuges, designed to deliver reliable performance, laboratory efficiency, and reproducible results.

Optima XPN Ultracentrifuge

1,500 mL max rotor capacity
100,000 max RPM
802,400 x g
Security and tracking
Remote monitoring and control
eXPert simulation software

Optima XE Ultracentrifuge

1,500 mL max rotor capacity
100,000 max RPM
802,400 x g

Optima MAX-XP Ultracentrifuge

194.4 mL max rotor capacity
150,000 max RPM
1,019,000 x g
Security and tracking
On-screen rotor library

Optima MAX-TL

40.8 mL max rotor capacity
120,000 max RPM
657,000 x g

Airfuge Air-Driven

Specialty design for lipemic blood clarification
110,000 max RPM
199,000 x g

FAQ on Ultracentrifuges

What are the most common applications of ultracentrifugation?

Ultracentrifugation is commonly used in biopharmaceutical research, virology, molecular biology, proteomics, and nanotechnology. Typical applications include viral vector purification, extracellular vesicle isolation, density gradient centrifugation, protein analysis, and nanoparticle characterization.

How fast does an ultracentrifuge spin?

Depending on the system and rotor configuration, ultracentrifuges can operate at speeds exceeding 100,000 RPM and generate centrifugal forces greater than 800,000 × g. These conditions allow researchers to separate microscopic particles with exceptional precision and reproducibility.

What is an ultracentrifuge?

An ultracentrifuge is a laboratory instrument that spins samples at extremely high speeds, often exceeding 100,000 RPM, to generate powerful centrifugal forces. These forces enable the separation of subcellular particles, viruses, proteins, nucleic acids, extracellular vesicles, and nanoparticles that cannot be effectively isolated using conventional centrifuges.

What is the difference between a centrifuge and an ultracentrifuge?

The primary difference is speed and centrifugal force. Standard laboratory centrifuges are used for routine sample preparation, while ultracentrifuges achieve significantly higher rotational speeds and relative centrifugal forces (RCF). This makes ultracentrifuges suitable for separating very small particles such as viruses, ribosomes, proteins, and lipoproteins.