Soft poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) nanogels surface-decorated with AuNPs. Response to temperature, light, and RF-field

•N-Vinylcaprolactam based nanogels were synthesized and decorated with gold nanoparticles.•Water dispersed nanogels respond to a temperature increase by shrinking.•Gold nanoparticles act as nanoheaters and sensitize the nanogels to respond also to light and to oscillating electric field.•The nanogels can host small organic compounds, which was studied with fluorescent probes.•Probes are or are not released to water phase upon stimulus depending on the solubility of the probes.