Here’s an article in the New Scientist Tech Blog that talks about using a CD or DVD drive to perform some kinds of medical testing and chemical analysis.  The blog entry is pretty big on the “gee whiz” factor without getting into the technical details. 

My friend Ross, who works in the optical media industry, have been telling me about this for years.  But this is the first mention of it I’ve seen in the popular media.  I’ve always said I’d really, really like to see the actual device.

Well I don’t have to wait anymore.  It looks like it’s made it into the DIY hacker world.  An article on Hack A Day has schematics and a basic description.  Let the hacking begin!