u/CMDfennec

The CheepyFuge is inspired by the paperfuge that was developed about 7 years ago, I 3D-Modeled and printed a version that uses the same principle as the paperfuge i.e. the whirlygig.

Using a Sony rx10 at 960fps, I've estimated it to have a peak rotation of around 9,000-10,000 rpm when using 1.5mL Flip Top Tubes. Short 2.7mL EDTA tubes are quite a bit slower due to additional mass and will require further testing. The goal is to use my own blood to separate RBC from plasma and hopefully not fling it all over my wall.

Use Cases:

• Education: Middle/High School Biology, Chemistry, and Physics teachers could incorporate these into lesson plans. Some school districts cannot afford typical tabletop centrifuges and this can get students more involved.
• Citizen Science: Those who want to engage in science can use this as a stepping stone for their own experiments.
• Small Research Teams: Budget is a common issue, and having backup equipment is always helpful.
• Field Research: No electricity and compact design means you can take it anywhere.
• Traveling Phlebotomists/Physicians: Similar to the goal of the Paperfuge, physicians operating in remote villages or regions without electricity can make use of a plastic handheld centrifuge that is sturdier than one made of paper.
• Emergency Medical Equipment: Natural disasters that hit areas and disable electrical infrastructure for long periods will need an alternative for tabletop centrifuges. Regulations for its authorized use may be an issue though.

Longer Video: https://youtu.be/dk0RrcIZpsg

The CheepyFuge is inspired by the paperfuge that was developed about 7 years ago, I 3D-Modeled and printed a version that uses the same principle as the paperfuge i.e. the whirlygig. The original plan was to prototype it as a proof of concept before releasing it for free online, but after showing it to my colleagues in the biotech industry, a lot of them asked if I planned on patenting it. So I did (It was expensive).

It is a relatively simple design that needed protection from corpos, and the new goal is to sell it affordably to those who could use it.

Using a Sony rx10 at 960fps, I've estimated it to have a peak rotation of around 9,000-10,000 rpm when using 1.5mL Flip Top Tubes. Short 2.7mL EDTA tubes are quite a bit slower due to additional mass and will require further testing. The goal is to use my own blood to separate RBC from plasma and hopefully not fling it all over my wall.

Use Cases:

• Education: Middle/High School Biology, Chemistry, and Physics teachers could incorporate these into lesson plans. Some school districts cannot afford typical tabletop centrifuges and this can get students more involved.
• Citizen Science: Those who want to engage in science can use this as a stepping stone for their own experiments.
• Small Research Teams: Budget is a common issue, and having backup equipment is always helpful.
• Field Research: No electricity and compact design means you can take it anywhere.
• Traveling Phlebotomists/Physicians: Similar to the goal of the Paperfuge, physicians operating in remote villages or regions without electricity can make use of a plastic handheld centrifuge that is sturdier than one made of paper.
• Emergency Medical Equipment: Natural disasters that hit areas and disable electrical infrastructure for long periods will need an alternative for tabletop centrifuges. Regulations for its authorized use may be an issue though.

Still figuring a lot of this out. TY

Links:

Site: https://cheepylabs.com/

Longer Video: https://youtu.be/dk0RrcIZpsg