Ancient Material Innovations to Modern Nanoscience: Nanoscale Insights, Green Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine

Nanotechnology has evolved from empirical traditional material practices to a highly advanced field based on the controlled design and manipulation of matter at the nanoscale. This article aims to provide a critical narrative overview of the evolution of the field of nanotechnology from traditional empirical approaches to modern scientific approaches. Particular emphasis has been placed on traditional materials exhibiting subsequently identified nanoscale features, and traditional formulations such as Bhasma, which might have inadvertently used nanostructures. Additionally, the scientific basis of modern nanotechnology and their roots in Indian civilization have been discussed. Furthermore, the main applications of nanotechnology in medicine, electronics, energy, sensing, and environmental remediation have been emphasized. Additionally, the article also emphasizes the green synthesis of nanoparticles, such as the plant‐mediated synthesis of nanoparticles, which might act as a bridge to connect the traditional practices with the modern advancements in the field of nanotechnology. The review points out that for any successful merging of traditional material knowledge with contemporary nanotechnology, there is a need to ensure characterization, repeatability, understanding of the mechanism involved, safety issues, scalability and proper validation. Historical nanoscale properties are also constrained by lack of modern characterization evidence.