Magnetically Self-Bearing Drive System for Ultracentrifugation: towards 100'000 rpm and 200'000 g

A novel magnetically double self-bearing drive system for ultracentrifugation is presented. It features an operating speed of 100’ 000 rpm, enabling centrifugal acceleration levels of 200’ 000g. The new drive system uniquely allows simple access to the centrifuge rotor for removal and loading. The design requirements are derived and the system feasibility is proved. The drive system working principle is demonstrated, a self-bearing motor prototype and an according test-system is shown. A control method thereof is proposed and the system resonance behavior is analyzed analytically and with 3D-FEM. An experimental validation of the control strategy on a control system test-platform completes the feasibility proof.