Materials processing in space; Proceedings of the Special Conference, Cincinnati, OH, May 4, 5, 1982

An international review of materials processing in space is provided, taking into account the NASA materials processing in space program, European activities in the field of microgravity research, and Japanese material processing tests in space. The subjects considered are related to materials processing in a microgravity environment, industrial and university applications and involvement, and challenges and prospectives of microgravity research in space. Attention is given to a review of the containerless processing technologies and facilities, glass research in space, bubble behavior in molten glass in a temperature gradient, semiconductor crystal growth and segregation problems on earth and space, seeded crystal growth of pseudobinary systems with large liquidus-solidus separation, avenues and incentives for commercial use of a low-gravity environment, and the Universities Space Research Association and its role in the materials processing in space program.