a method that utilizes a family of catalysts to produce metal , non - silicon metalloid and rare earth oxides and nitrides , and their organic or hydrido conjugates and derivatives from corresponding alkoxide - like precursors while simultaneously directing the nanostructure of the resulting material . the family of catalysts include the silicateins , a family of enzymes responsible for the structure - directing polycondensation of silica in biological systems . silicateins catalyze the formation of structurally organized silica polymers . other suitable catalysts include a large group of enzymes that mimic the action of silicateins , peptide biomimetics of silicateins , and other chemical entities that act catalytically by a mechanism related to that of the silicateins .