Communication: Ceramic and metallic materials with nanometer-scale morphology posses novel properties important in nanoprecision manufacturing, where isotropic material properties are required in miniaturized components, and in the development of new composite materials with strengths approaching the theoretical limits. Unlike currently used methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles which can only produce small quantities, the new method reported here (see figure) which involves laser-induced cross-linking of a liquid silazane precursor to give S13N4/SiC ceramics can yield up to 100 g/h.