Solidification under microgravity

The paper outlines the broad areas where studies are being conducted under microgravity conditions worldwide viz., biotechnology, combustion science, materials science and fluid physics. The paper presents in particular a rev iew on the various areas of research being pursued in materials science. Th ese include studies on immiscibles, eutectics, morphology development durin g solidification or pattern formation, nucleation phenomena, isothermal den drite growth, macrosegregation and the behaviour of insoluble particles ahe ad of the solidifying interface. The latter studies are given in detail wit h description of case studies of experiments conducted by the author on spa ce shuttles. In particular, the technology and the science issues are addre ssed. Lastly, based on the presentations, some salient features enumerating the advantages of conducting experiments under conditions of microgravity are highlighted in terms of science returns.