Exploring the integration of fundamental nanoscience and practical nanotechnology in India's research landscape
Imagine a sunscreen that feels light on your skin yet provides superior protection, or a carpet that repels red wine spills so effectively that they wipe clean without a trace. Consider medical treatments that target cancer cells with pinpoint accuracy while leaving healthy tissue untouched. These aren't scenes from science fiction—they're real-world applications made possible by nanotechnology, the science of manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular level 8 2 .
The scale where nanomaterials measure, about 100 times smaller than a grain of sand
Properties that ordinary substances exhibit at the nanoscale 1
At the nanoscale, where materials measure between 1 to 100 nanometers, ordinary substances exhibit extraordinary new properties 1 . Gold nanoparticles appear ruby red rather than yellow; silk becomes incredibly strong due to its molecular structure; and materials can be engineered to perform tasks that once seemed impossible 8 1 . This tiny revolution now touches nearly every aspect of our lives, from the computers we use to the clothes we wear 8 .
But behind these technological marvels lies a quieter, more profound revolution in how science itself is conducted and understood. Nowhere is this transformation more evident than in India, where researchers are redefining what it means to be a scientist in the 21st century.
They're bridging the ancient dichotomy between knowledge creation and practical application, forging a new integrated approach called "nanotechnoscience" that blends discovery with real-world impact 6 9 .
To understand the significance of this shift, we must first distinguish between three related but distinct concepts:
The study of structures and molecules at the nanoscale (1-100 nm), investigating how materials behave at this incredibly small scale where quantum effects dominate. It focuses on understanding fundamental properties and phenomena .
Takes this knowledge and applies it to create useful devices, materials, and applications. The United States National Nanotechnology Initiative defines it as "a science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, where unique phenomena enable novel applications" .
Represents a merging of these two domains—a hybrid approach where the boundaries between fundamental research and technological application blur. In this model, scientific discovery and technological innovation advance together in a mutually reinforcing cycle 6 .
| Field | Primary Focus | Key Question | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nanoscience | Understanding fundamental properties | How do gold nanoparticles behave at different sizes? | Studying optical properties of gold nanoparticles |
| Nanotechnology | Creating applications | How can we use nanoparticles for medical imaging? | Developing quantum dots for cancer detection |
| Nanotechnoscience | Integrated knowledge and application | How can fundamental discoveries directly drive new technologies? | Research that simultaneously advances knowledge and practical solutions |
Groundbreaking research based on in-depth interviews with 58 Indian nanoresearchers reveals how scientists themselves perceive their work in this emerging field 6 . The study identified approximately ten characteristic features of technoscience reflected in the research work and perspectives of these practitioners 6 .
Nanotechnoscience requires teams with expertise across physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and engineering working together 6 .
Many researchers pursue nanotechnoscience not primarily for commercial gain but to address pressing societal challenges in healthcare, environment, and sustainability 9 .
The insights are based on comprehensive interviews with 58 Indian researchers working in nanotechnology-related fields. These interviews explored their perceptions of their work, motivations, challenges, and how they navigate the boundary between fundamental science and technological application.
Indian researchers interviewed
The metaphor of bringing together Saraswati (knowledge) and Laxmi (wealth) powerfully captures the cultural transformation occurring in Indian laboratories 9 . This represents a departure from traditional views that maintained a strict separation between pure knowledge creation and practical application.
Traditional focus on pure knowledge creation and fundamental research
Focus on wealth creation and practical application of knowledge
The new approach that merges knowledge creation with practical application for societal benefit
As one researcher noted, this isn't merely about commercializing research but about creating value that benefits society while advancing scientific understanding 9 . The development of sprayable nanofibers to treat skin wounds exemplifies this approach—it represents both a scientific advancement in understanding self-assembling materials and an immediate practical application that could transform wound care globally 5 .
This cultural shift aligns with global changes in the social contract between science and society. Where scientists were once granted autonomy to pursue "curiosity-driven" research with public support, they're now increasingly expected to demonstrate the social, economic, and environmental impacts of their work 9 .
Nanotechnoscience represents a proactive embrace of this new reality.
While much global research has focused on Western perceptions of nanotechnology, an ongoing pan-India study led by Ankita Rathore aims specifically to understand how Indians perceive various risks and benefits of nanotechnology applications 1 . This research fills a critical knowledge gap in the global understanding of nanotechnology acceptance.
The study employs a multilingual online questionnaire for people aged 18-80 across India, assessing their awareness, knowledge, attitude, and future outlook toward nanotechnology 1 . The survey examines perceptions across seven different application domains:
The research measures four key dimensions of public perception toward nanotechnology applications.
| Application Domain | Perceived Safety Level | Key Influencing Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | Highest safety perception | Trust in healthcare applications |
| Food | Lower safety perception | Concerns about ingestion and long-term effects |
| Cosmetics | Moderate safety perception | Balance between benefits and skin absorption concerns |
| Pesticides | Variable perception | Environmental impact concerns vs. efficacy appreciation |
Early insights from this research indicate that public perception varies significantly across different applications, with medical uses generally viewed as safer than food-related applications 1 . This finding mirrors global trends where context dramatically influences technology acceptance.
The research also suggests that media coverage plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding, though nanotechnology coverage in Indian newspapers remains limited and often emphasizes benefits over risks 1 . This information gap highlights the importance of the science communication work that researchers like Rathore are undertaking.
What does it take to conduct research at the intersection of nanoscience and nanotechnology? The toolkit includes both conceptual approaches and physical materials that enable this integrated work.
| Material/Nanoparticle | Primary Function/Application | Unique Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Nanoparticles | Medical imaging, food industry | Ruby red color, highly reactive, biocompatible 1 |
| Cellulose Nanocrystals | Agro-chemical delivery systems | Sustainable, biodegradable, efficient carrier 5 |
| Peptide Amphiphiles | Wound healing scaffolds | Self-assemble into nanofibers that mimic extracellular matrix 5 |
| Chitosan Nanofibers | Antibacterial disinfectants | Natural polysaccharide, anti-corrosive, eco-friendly 5 |
| Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide | Sunscreen formulations | Effective UV blocking while feeling light on skin 8 |
| Quantum Dots | Display technologies, medical imaging | Size-dependent color emission, bright fluorescence 7 |
| Aerogels ("Frozen Smoke") | Thermal insulation, water purification | Ultra-lightweight, highly porous, excellent insulator 5 |
This diverse toolkit enables the wide range of applications that characterize nanotechnoscience—from sustainable packaging alternatives that combat plastic pollution to targeted drug delivery systems that revolutionize medicine 5 .
The emergence of nanotechnoscience represents more than just a new label for old practices—it signals a fundamental shift in how knowledge is produced, applied, and valued. Indian researchers stand at the forefront of this transformation, consciously bridging the historical divide between pure knowledge and practical application.
As Rathore's research into public perception reminds us, the ultimate success of any technological advancement depends not only on its scientific merit but on its acceptance and integration into society 1 . This understanding is itself a hallmark of the nanotechnoscience approach—one that considers social dimensions alongside technical ones.
The journey of Indian nanotechnoscience reflects broader global trends while retaining distinctive cultural characteristics. The metaphor of bringing together Saraswati and Laxmi powerfully captures both the aspirations and challenges of this enterprise 9 . As researchers navigate this integrated path, they create not just new technologies but new models for how science can serve society in the 21st century.
What seems certain is that the tiny revolution of nanotechnology will continue to have massive implications—not only for the products we use but for how we organize knowledge itself. In the integrated approach of nanotechnoscience, we may be witnessing the future of research—one where understanding the world and improving it become two sides of the same coin.