An ultracentrifuge is a laboratory instrument that spins samples at very high speeds, generating strong centrifugal forces. This allows scientists to separate components of a mixture based on their density. Common applications include separating cellular components, proteins, and nucleic acids in biological research. Ultracentrifuges are essential in fields like biochemistry and molecular biology. They can achieve speeds of over 100,000 revolutions per minute (RPM), making them much faster than standard centrifuges. The separated components can then be analyzed further, aiding in studies related to cell biology, genetics, and biotechnology.