Materials processing in a magnetic force opposed to the gravity

High magnetic fields can levitate diamagnetic substances. Conducting parama gnetic liquids can be levitated by combining electromagnetic and magnetic f orces. Some recent examples of magnetic processing are given to enlighten s ome experimental difficulties related to solidification. Levitation appears as a particular magnetic processing. There are other concepts to damp conv ection in magnetic liquids, to modify and orient the solidified microstruct ure. An exciting perspective is the convection suppression in a magnetic li quid by using much smaller magnetic forces than the levitation force. (C) 2 001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.