An improved ceramic processing method, thermoresponsive gelcasting, has been developed. The method uses a rapid thermoresponsive gel system to solve the problem of inefficient drying within the conventional gelcasting procedure. The gel system of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel containing poly-(ethylene oxide) graft chains with a freely mobile end was taken as an example for thermoresponsive gelcasting of alumina. The gelling behavior of organic aqueous solution was evaluated. The slurries (solids loading, 50 vol%) with the new gelcasting system were prepared. The wetting ceramic parts were almost completely dried in 70 min at 50 degrees C. The microstructure of the green body is homogeneous. The flexural strength of the sintered ceramics is 282 +/- 37 MPa with a theoretical density of 97.6%.