This review encompasses the fundamental aspects of electrophoretic deposition technique, factors influencing the deposition process, kinetic aspects, types of EPD, the driving forces, preparation of electrophoretic suspension, stability and control of suspension, mechanisms involved in EPD, multicomponent/composite deposition, drying of deposits obtained by EPD. Numerous applications including coatings, nanoscale assembly, micropatterned thin films, near shape ceramics and glasses, solid oxide fuel cells, laminated or graded materials, hybrid materials, infiltration in porous and woven fibre preforms for preparation of fibre reinforced ceramic matrix composites, etc. have been described. The use of mathematical modeling including kinetic equations for deposit formation and volumetric particle concentration in the suspension, together with brief description of discrete element modeling of EPD process is presented. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.