Abstract: A sensing device for measuring force and/or torque includes a top part with a top electrode structure, a bottom part with a bottom electrode structure, and a support structure. The support structure includes spring elements for supporting the top part on the bottom part with the top electrode structure parallel to and facing the bottom electrode structure. The spring elements provide a gap between the top and bottom electrode structures and allow displacement of the top part relative to the bottom part in three orthogonal directions two parallel and one perpendicular to the bottom plate, and for rotation of the top part relative to the bottom part around three orthogonal axes, corresponding with the two parallel and one perpendicular directions. The displacement and/or rotation induce a change in distance between and/or overlap area of the top and bottom electrodes and a corresponding change of capacitance.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a treatment of diabetes, a scaffold and a method of preparing a scaffold. In a first aspect, this object is met by providing a scaffold comprising beta cell aggregates, wherein the aggregates are distributed over the scaffold in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a 3D nanostructure having a nanosubstructure, comprising the steps of: i) providing a mold comprising at least one sharp concave corner; ii) conformational depositing at least one structural material in the sharp concave corner; iii) isotropically removing structural material; iv) depositing at least one other structural material; v) removing earlier deposited structural material; vi) forming a nanosubstructure; and vii) removing the mold thereby providing the 3D nanostructure having the nanosubstructure.

Abstract: A phased-array antenna that includes a photonic beamformer is disclosed. In some embodiments, a front stage of electrical-domain processing applies a 16-to-1 signal-combination ratio, a single stage of photonic beamforming applies a 4-to-1 signal-combination ratio, and a passive, electrical-domain, signal combiner applies a 32-to-1 signal-combination ratio.

Abstract: Gaseous molecules, such as H2, CO2 and CH4, can be separated using a hybrid organic-inorganic polyimide network membrane, wherein the polyimide contains bis-imide units of formula 1 (formula 1), wherein A represents an organic moiety having 2-22 carbon atoms; or corresponding tris-imide groups, wherein a nitrogen atom of two or more of said bis-imide units is linked to a group Q of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) group of formula 3 QmR(2n-m)Si2nO3n.xH2O 3 wherein Q is CpHq bound to a silicon atom, R is hydrogen, hydroxy or C1-C4 alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl or ammonioalkyl, bound to a silicon atom, m is from 2 up to 2n, n is from 2 up to 6, p=1 to 6; q=2(p?r) with r=0, 1, 2<p; and x is from 0 to 2n?1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device, suitable for the measurement of quantitative photon absorption coefficient in tissue, wherein the device comprises a first light source, suitable for generating photons, a light measurement element suitable for measuring at least one of: the intensity, the frequency, the frequency deviations and phase shift of the light to be measured, an ultrasound source, suitable for the generation of a defined sound wave pattern in a defined volume element within the tissue, wherein the ultrasound source is suitable for labelling the light, originating from the first light source or a second light source that enters the defined volume element within the tissue, and an ultrasound measurement element, suitable for measuring ultrasound, originating from the defined volume element within the tissue and generated by the light of the first light source that enters the defined volume element within the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a VHH which binds to a growth factor or is an antagonist for a growth factor, or binds to an implant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiwell system, characterized that said multiwell system having at least 3 wells, wherein said wells have a volume between 0.125 and 4.0 mm3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a hollow fibre membrane having a supporting layer and a separating layer, said process comprising: (a) extruding a spinning composition comprising a first polymer and a solvent for the first polymer through an inner annular orifice of a hollow-fibre die; (b) co-extruding a composition comprising an organic nucleophilic reagent and a mixtures of a solvent and a non-solvent for the first polymer, wherein the composition is either extruded through a central annular orifice of the hollow-fibre die or through an outer annular orifice of a hollow-fibre die; and (c) passing the hollow-fibre through a coagulation bath. The hollow fibre membrane according to the present invention can be used in gas separation processes, vapour separation processes and liquid filtration processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for mass producing monodisperse microbubbles contains a microfluidic flow focusing device. The microfluidic flow focusing device includes a dispersed phase fluid supply channel having an outlet that discharges into a flow focusing junction, a continuous phase fluid supply channel having an outlet that discharges into the flow focusing junction, and a bubble formation channel having an inlet disposed at the flow focusing junction. The configuration of the flow focusing junction is such that, in operation, a flow of dispersed phase fluid discharging from the outlet of the dispersed phase fluid supply channel is engageable in co-flow by a focusing flow of continuous phase fluid discharging from the outlet of the at least one continuous phase fluid supply channel under formation of a gradually thinning jet of dispersed phase fluid that extends into the inlet of the bubble formation channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a 3D nanostructure having a nanosubstructure, comprising the steps of: i) providing a mold comprising at least one sharp concave corner; ii) conformational depositing at least one structural material in the sharp concave corner; iii) isotropically removing structural material; iv) depositing at least one other structural material; v) removing earlier deposited structural material; vi) forming a nanosubstructure; and vii) removing the mold thereby providing the 3D nanostructure having the nanosubstructure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for providing polymeric composites with bone forming, such as with osteogenic and/or osteoinductive and/or osteoconductive, properties. The present invention further relates to polymeric composites provided by the present method and the use of thereof for bone implants, or grafts, specifically the use thereof for orbital floor reconstruction. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods for providing a composite with bone forming properties, the method comprises the steps of: a) providing a liquid, or liquefied, polymeric composition of homopolymers or copolymers of 1,3-trimethylene carbonate (TMC); b) adding to said liquid, or liquefied, polymeric composition one or more agents with osteogenic and/or osteoinductive and/or osteoconductive properties thereby providing a dispersion of said agents in said liquid or liquefied polymeric composition; and c) crosslinking the product obtained, thereby providing a composite with bone forming properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule or chip or sensor comprising a marker/detector and signalling device/method associated with the development of a medical condition/disease and to its use. This In Situ Lab On a Chip Signalling device (ISLOGS device) is used for detecting a medical condition/disease in situ or in vivo (inside the body), for example by swallowing it for testing in the digestive tract or by putting it into the vagina, mouth or nose. All reactions takes place in the body and when the test result is positive the device will notify the subject by colorizing the tested body fluid or biomaterial (for example faeces, urine or saliva) or the device itself. The detection is made outside of the body when the biomaterial or ISLOCS device has left the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system 10 for enabling generation of photoacoustic images, comprising a light source 3 arranged to generate pulsed or modulated light having a wavelength in the range of 200-2500 nm, a biopsy needle having a needle body 4 with a distal portion 4a, the needle body being provided with an optical fiber 5 having a distal portion 5a and adapted to conduct the light from the light source 3 via the distal portion 5a towards a target region 2 located inside a patient 1. Photoacoustic signals 7 generated in the target region 2 are advantageously intercepted by a suitable detector, such as a per se known ultrasonic probe 6. The ultrasonic probe 6 may be connected to a data processing system 8 for visualizing suitable images 9a on a display 9. The invention further relates to a method of generating photoacoustic images and to a biopsy needle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing of a microneedle array comprising the steps of selecting a soft production mold comprising a set of microscopic incisions defining geometry of the microneedles, said soft production mold being capable of providing the microneedle array integrated into a base plate; using a filler material for abundantly filling the microscopic incisions of the soft production mold thereby producing the microneedle array with pre-defined geometry integrated into the base plate; wherein for the filler material a water or alcohol based ceramic or polymer-ceramic slurry is selected. The invention further relates to a microneedle array 16, a composition comprising a microneedle array, a system for enabling transport of a substance through a barrier and a system for measuring an electric signal using an electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing of a microneedle array comprising the steps of selecting a soft production mold comprising a set of microscopic incisions defining geometry of the microneedles, said soft production mold being capable of providing the microneedle array integrated into a base plate; using a filler material for abundantly filling the microscopic incisions of the soft production mold thereby producing the microneedle array with pre-defined geometry integrated into the base plate; wherein for the filler material a water or alcohol based ceramic or polymer-ceramic slurry is selected. The invention further relates to a microneedle array, a composition comprising a microneedle array, a system for enabling transport of a substance through a barrier and a system for measuring an electric signal using an electrode.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for photocatalytic water splitting, and to an apparatus for carrying out said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiwell system, characterized that said multiwell system having at least 3 wells, wherein said wells have a volume between 0.125 and 4.0 mm3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing a degradable polymer network. The methods for preparing a degradable polymer network comprise a) preparing a polymer composition comprising monomers of cyclic carbonates and/or cyclic esters and/or linear carbonates and/or linear esters and/or cyclic ethers and/or linear hydroxycarboxylic acids at a temperature between 20° C. and 200° C.; b) adding a cross-linking reagent comprising at least one double or triple C—C bond and/or a cross-linking radical initiator; c) processing the polymer composition (that contains the crosslinking reagentj into a desired shape; d) Crosslinking by irradiating the mixture. Further, the present invention relates to a degradable polymer network. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the degradable polymer network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scanning probe microscope comprising: a specimen holder holding a specimen; and a probe for scanning the relief of the upper surface of the specimen, which probe is movable in a vertical direction and two orthogonal horizontal directions, wherein the upper surface of the specimen is tilted relative to at least one of the two orthogonal horizontal directions.