From bits to biometrics: sustainable hacking of optical storage technologies for atomic force microscopy and medical applications

Abstract This article showcases how optical pickup units, a type of optical data storage technology, can be sustainably hacked for advanced applications in atomic force microscopy (AFM) and medical diagnostics. The evolution of these technologies from compact discs to Blu-ray is discussed, and their creative applications in high-precision, cost-effective scientific tools are detailed. The transition from data storage to nanoscale imaging has implications for skin nanotexture biometrics, as demonstrated by the example of high-speed dermal AFM for dermatological analysis. Although several technical challenges arise, this approach can have considerable economic and educational benefits and future possibilities, including integration with internet of things and artificial intelligence for stronger functionality. Innovation grounded in hacking can democratize scientific exploration, promote sustainable research, and advance precision medicine, thereby creating a new paradigm for the development of scientific instrumentation.