Old game consoles can be a source of surprising discoveries. Engineer Edwin Hwu demonstrated at Hackaday Europe 2026 how components from a Playstation 4, specifically the optical head of its Blu-Ray drive, were used to create a high-speed dermal atomic force microscope (HS-DAFM). Traditional atomic force microscopes (AFMs) are expensive and bulky equipment costing around half a million euros, capable of nanometer resolutions. They use a sharp probe to physically contact the surface being studied. However, their high cost and slow operation have limited their application. Hwu showed how, using a DVD drive, he achieved a resolution of 0.39 nanometers, allowing him to see even a DNA strand. Now, using the optical head from a Playstation 4, he has created a device that is 100 times faster than standard AFMs. The HS-DAFM can analyze the nanostructure of the skin. This opens up new possibilities for diagnosing skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. Combined with machine learning systems, the microscope can aid in the diagnostic process. Furthermore, according to Hwu, analyzing skin nanotexture using machine learning allows for the detection of asthma with 75% accuracy. The connection between mental stress and the state of the skin at the nanoscale is also being investigated, although this area is in its early stages. This approach to repurposing electronic waste allows for the creation of advanced scientific instruments at a significantly lower cost, making nanotechnology research more accessible.