Physicists from Japan have grown crystals in near zero gravity by using a diving airplane [1]. The idea was to examine crystal growth under such conditions to uncover phenomena usually masked by gravity’s effects.

[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkjzKjGo40A&feature=player_embedded]

For more details follow the link below or the original paper cited.

This man had nothing to do with it…

Link
IOP News Physics on a plane: crystals made under zero gravity

Reference
[1] Takuya Takahashi, Haruka Ohuchi, Ryuji Nomura and Yuichi Okuda, Ripening of splashed 4He crystals by acoustic waves with and without gravity, 2012 New J. Phys. 14 123023 (link)