The evolution of high-energy density fuels over the past three decades is briefly described. This period can be characterized by exceedingly slow progress and notable lack of success toward the development of practical, economically viable fuel systems. Recently, two novel ultrahighenergy density fuels, one naturally occurring and one synthetic, have emerged; these fuels, which are both composed of compact hydrocarbon molecules, have energy contents or heating values significantly greater than that of currently used standard missile fuel JP-10 (up to 160K Btu/gal (44.7K MJ/m 3 ) vs 141.7K Btu/gal (39.6K MJ/m 3 )). In addition, these fuels also exhibit superior low-temperature, viscometric, flash-point, and other properties that are desired and, indeed, required for practical fuels. Initial research and development of these fuels are described, and their chemistries, properties, and, in the case of the naturally occurring fuel, engine test results are provided.

Many scientists have endeavoured to search for oral insulin formula by using polymer or lipid systems [1±6], protease inhibitors and permeation enhancers [7±10]. Other routes have also been explored as alternatives to insulin injections [11±13]. Although these formulations achieved varying degrees of success, there are many obstacles that must be overcome if clinically successful formulas are to be achieved.We developed a homogeneous liquid formula that has distinctly different physical properties from those of the pre-existing formulas. By simply mixing our liquid formula in excess water or phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4), nano-sized particles ranging from 200 to 500 nm are formed. Encapsulation efficiency of insulin inside the particles was 70 to 100 %. The formula can be made without heat or physical force and can be sterilized easily by filtration.We name the submicron-sized lipid particles formed spontaneously in water`nanocubicles'. Nanocubicles can be similar to, but differ in some respects from, the so-called cubosomes [14,15]. For preparation of nano-sized cubosomes, the mixture of monoolein, emulsifier and water needs to be microfluidized at about 80 C and cooled slowly to room temperature. Since insulin cannot be stable under this harsh condition, cubosomes have been used in the form of large aggregates (10 mm~1 mm), prepared at room temperature by stirring, to test the possibility of their being used as a nasal insulin delivery system [16] but not as an oral formula [17]. AbstractAims/hypothesis. A patient with (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus receives at least one subcutaneous insulin injection a day to maintain low serum glucose concentrations. Since patients' compliance with such dosage regimens is too low, the development of an oral formula is clearly attractive. We present the development of a liquid formula that can be easily dispersed in water to produce particles named ªnanocu-biclesº which efficiently encapsulate insulin. Methods. Fasted streptozotocin±induced diabetic rats were administered orally with particles encapsulating insulin, and particles without insulin or soluble insulin in water. Groups of rats were also injected soluble insulin in PBS for control. Blood glucose concentration and insulin concentration were measured 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 h after the administration of the insulin formulas.Results. In vitro experiments show that the particles can be taken up by the Caco-2 cells at a high ratio. The serum glucose concentration was controlled for more than 6 h after oral insulin administration but returned to the basal concentration in 3 h when 1 IU/kg of insulin was injected intravenously. Conclusion/interpretation. Our biocompatible and stable oral insulin formulation is easy to prepare and produces reproducible hypoglycaemic effects, therefore we anticipate clinical acceptance and utilization of this form of insulin therapy. [Diabetologia (2002) 45: 448±451]

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Collagen-derived small peptides, such as Gly-Pro-Hyp (GPH) and Pro-Hyp (PH), play a role in various physiological functions. Although collagen degrades in the gastrointestinal tract randomly and easily, it is not readily cleaved into bioactive peptides. To increase the bioavailability of bioactive peptides, a collagen tripeptide (CTP) was prepared from fish scales by the digestion method using collagenase from nonpathogenic Bacillus bacteria. It was demonstrated that Hyp-containing peptides-GPH and PH-were better absorbed and reached higher plasma levels after the oral administration of CTPs in rats compared to high molecular weight collagen peptide (H-CP). GPH and PH were stable in gastrointestinal fluid and rat plasma for 2 h, and GPH was able to be transported across the intestinal cell monolayer. These results suggest that the ingestion of CTP is an efficient method for taking bioactive peptides orally due to the enzymatic stability and intestinal permeability of GPH and PH.