However, electrophoresis on Earth is limited to very lightweight materials. When it is used, it is performed with difficulty and limited effectiveness because of Earth's gravity, which causes convection currents, as well as gravitational settling. Some medical applications of electrophoresis which were exceedingly difficult, elusive or practically impossible on Earth due to convection currents proved quite easy on the Space Shuttle. An experimental series of studies were supported at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center to test and develop the concept of electrophoresis of simulated lunar soil, and the results were very encouraging, including separating minerals with close isoelectric points. Electrophoresis is simple, takes little energy and is highly automatable.
Electrophoresis can also be highly effective for separating trace minerals.