Abstract: The present invention provides a water-based method for producing Aluminum oxynitride (AION) green bodies characterized by a density of at least 99% as measured according to ASTM C20-92 and/or at least 60% as measured by green density measurements The method comprises steps selected from (a) ball-milling Alumina powder and deflocculant in water for a period of time t, said t is between about 10 hours and about 24 hours, (b) homogeneously dispersing AIN in said ball-milled product for a period of time t1, said t1 is between about 0.5 hours and about 4 hours, (c) vacuum drying said product, thereby providing dense green bodies, and, (d) sintering said dense green bodies at temperature T1 in nitrogen for several time durations t2, said t2 is between about 0.5 hours and about 10 hours, said Tï is between about 1700 degrees C. and about 2100 degrees C.

Abstract: Articles having a first substance, naturally having a first crystalline structure, confined between surfaces of a second substance having a second crystalline structure, whereby the first substance has a third (unusual) crystalline structure different from said first crystalline structure and methods of making same. Substances having unusual crystalline structures and methods of making same.