From a Fictitious Force to a Transformative Power

 At first glance, centrifugal force may seem like nothing more than a physical phenomenon observed in non-inertial reference frames. Yet, this very force has become the beating heart of centrifugal microfluidic systems in modern diagnostic technologies.
Let’s walk through the scientific mechanism step by step:
When an object rotates around a central point, a fictitious force known as centrifugal force appears to act on it—directed radially outward from the axis of rotation.
As a result, the object deviates from its circular path and follows a curved trajectory.
If two chambers connected by a microchannel are placed on a rotating disc, with fluid contained in the inner chamber, the rotation causes the fluid to be pumped into the outer chamber due to centrifugal force.
This phenomenon, referred to as centrifugal pumping, forms the basis of operation in centrifugal microfluidic systems.
In these systems, fluid flow within microchannels is generated through the use of centrifugal force—a fictitious force arising from motion within non-inertial frames of reference—eliminating the need for external pumps and enabling autonomous sample processing.
By reducing mechanical complexity and enhancing system reliability, this technology presents an ideal solution for rapid and point-of-care (POC) diagnostics of conditions such as cancer, infections, and genetic disorders.