Abstract: A process for preparing a ceramic body in which a ceramic mixture is formed into a green body and thereafter fired. The ceramic mixture is prepared by mixing at least about 40 weight percent of ceramic material and less than about 60 weight percent of gluten with water. At least about 90 weight percent of the particles of ceramic material are smaller than about 20 microns, and at least about 50 weight percent of the particles of ceramic material are from about 0.5 to about 2 microns. The mixture has a pH of from about 2 to about 8.

Abstract: A process for preparing a porous ceramic body in which a green body containing at least 60 weight percent of ceramic material, at least about 25 weight percent of water, and from 5 to 40 weight percent of gluten is formed. The green body is dried until it contains less than about 0.5 weight percent, and it is then heated to a temperature of from 1,100 to 3,200 degrees Fahrenheit until substantially all of the gluten has been removed.

Abstract: An arcuate building structure containing at least three five-sided building blocks, at least three six-sided building blocks, and means for connecting one of said five-sided building blocks to at least one of said six-sided building blocks. The top side of the six-sided block has a substantially triangular shape, and is substantially parallel to the bottom side of the six-sided block. The front side of the six-sided block has a substantially trapezoidal shape with a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a left edge. The right edge and the left edge have equal lengths and form equal angles with the bottom edge. The back side of the six-sided block has a substantially triangular shape with at least two sides equal in length to each other. The left and right sides of the six-sided block are congruent with each other, are in the shape of a parallelogram, and contain a recess within their borders.

Abstract: A process for preparing a porous ceramic material, is disclosed. The process uses an organic sponge material, and a ceramic slurry. The ceramic slurry contains liquid, gluten, and ceramic material.In the first step of the process, the ceramic slurry is applied to the sponge in order to substantially saturate it with slurry. Thereafter, the saturated sponge is dehydrated until it contains less than about 5.0 weight percent of liquid. The dehydrated sponge is then fired at a temperature of from about 1,100 to about 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hollow, porous ceramic material is provided. In the first step of the process, a substrate which will burn out (vaporize) at a temperature of 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit (and which, preferably, is carbonaceous) is provided. This substrate is coated with a mixture of gluten, ceramic material, and water. The coated substrate is then dried to a moisture content of less than about 0.5 weight percent and, thereafter, heated to a temperature of from about 1,100 to about 3,200 degrees Fahrenheit to cause the substrate to burn out and the coating to sinter.