Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Video
  • Published:

The do-it-yourself centrifuge

A centrifuge is a vital piece of kit for hospitals and labs across the world. But what if you could make one out of paper and string? The so-called ‘paperfuge’ is the cheapest and fastest hand-spun centrifuge ever designed — and it can reach speeds of up to 125,000 revolutions per minute. Nature Video reveals how this invention will allow basic diagnostic tests in areas without laboratory resources or electricity.

A centrifuge is a vital piece of kit for hospitals and labs across the world. But what if you could make one out of paper and string? The so-called ‘paperfuge’ is the cheapest and fastest hand-spun centrifuge ever designed — and it can reach speeds of up to 125,000 revolutions per minute. Nature Video reveals how this invention will allow basic diagnostic tests in areas without laboratory resources or electricity.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

The do-it-yourself centrifuge. Nat Biomed Eng 1, 0026 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-016-0026

Download citation

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-016-0026

Search

Quick links