Abstract: The invention relates to a waveguide, comprising a grating in at least a part of the waveguide, which waveguide comprises a coating, the coating comprising a polymer, which polymer comprises an aliphatic chain, which aliphatic chain is provided with hydrophilic side-chains. The invention further relates to a sensor system comprising a waveguide according to any one of the preceding claims, a light source, and a photo-detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for measuring an environmental effect, comprising a sensor material having an internal stress, which sensor material is designed to at least partially relax under the influence of the environmental effect. The sensor further comprising a detection unit for indirectly or directly detecting said relaxation. The invention also relates to a waveguide, comprising a grating in at least a portion of the waveguide, which waveguide comprises a coating, the coating comprising a polymer that contains reversible crosslinks that can be broken by the environmental effect in such a way that the polymer changes shape. The invention further relates to a sensor system comprising a waveguide, a light source, and a photo-detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising an actuator for converting between mechanical and electrical energy comprising an electro-active polymer or electro-active polymer composition, wherein the stiffness of the actuator at or near a first surface or part thereof differs from the stiffness at or near a second surface or part thereof, or wherein the stiffness of the actuator at or near a first extremity differs from the stiffness at or near a second extremity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator for converting between mechanical and electrical energy comprising -at least two electrodes; and -an electroactive polymer, comprising aromatic moieties in the chain and flexible moieties in the chain, the polymer further comprising side groups bound to the chain, which side groups are selected from the group consisting of polar side groups and side groups comprising an aromatic moiety. The invention further relates to a novel electroactive polymer comprising polar side groups bound to the chain.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a plasticizer in a polymer composition for providing electroactivity to the composition or increasing the electroactivity of the composition. The invention further relates to an (an article) comprising an actuator for converting between mechanical and electrical energy comprising—at least two electrodes; and—an electroactive polymer composition, comprising a polar polymer and a polar plasticizer.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising an aqueous solution of 0.1-20 wt. % of a poly(amine) and 0.1 to 50 wt. % of a carboxylated carbohydrate having an average molecular weight of at least 100,000 D and a degree of carboxyl substitution of at least 5%, which carboxylated carbohydrate has been obtained by subjecting a corresponding original carbohydrate to an oxidation treatment whereby carboxyl and aldehyde groups are obtained by oxidation of hydroxyl groups of the original carbohydrate, after which the oxidised carbohydrate so obtained is contacted with a reducing agent whereby at least part of the aldehyde groups that were obtained in the oxidation treatment are reduced to hydroxymethyl groups, whereby the carboxylated carbohydrate comprises at least part of the reducing agent and/or its reaction product(s), and wherein the carboxylated carbohydrate forms a complex with the poly(amine).

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising an aqueous solution of 0.1-20 wt. % of a poly(amine) and 0.1 to 50 wt. % of a carboxylated carbohydrate having an average molecular weight of at least 100,000 D and a degree of carboxyl substitution of at least 5%, which carboxylated carbohydrate has been obtained by subjecting a corresponding original carbohydrate to an oxidation treatment whereby carboxyl and aldehyde groups are obtained by oxidation of hydroxyl groups of the original carbohydrate, after which the oxidised carbohydrate so obtained is contacted with a reducing agent whereby at least part of the aldehyde groups that were obtained in the oxidation treatment are reduced to hydroxymethyl groups, whereby the carboxylated carbohydrate comprises at least part of the reducing agent and/or its reaction product(s), and wherein the carboxylated carbohydrate forms a complex with the poly(amine).

Abstract: A process for producing biopolymer nanoparticles is described, in which the biopolymer is plasticised using shear forces, a crosslinking agent being added during the processing. After said processing. After said processing, the biopolymer can be dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous medium to a concentration between 4 and 40 wt. %. This results in starch nanoparticles which are characterized by an average particle size of less than 400 nm.