For the first time we utilize the spindle motor intrinsic to centrifugal microfluidic systems to drive a grinding mill for cell lysis in a stator-rotor concept. This mechanical concept particularly enables the lysis of armored cells and, as a further benefit, avoids the addition of chemicals that potentially inhibit subsequent reactions. As a proof of concept we demonstrate the lysis of the silica-shelled algae Phaeodactylum Tricornutum.