Crossword Genius

Spinner uses heavy atmosphere against one in the middle (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

centrifuge

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'spinner' is the definition.
(machine which spins)

'heavy atmosphere against one in the middle' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'atmosphere' could be 'fug' (fug is a kind of atmosphere) and 'fug' is present in the answer.
'one' could be 'i' (Roman numeral) and 'i' is found in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'uses' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for centrifuge that I've seen before include "Rotating machine that separates particles" , "Spinner" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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