Ahrenkiel joined SD Mines in 2006 and is an expert in the field of the structural characterization of solar materials and the development of novel high-efficiency solar cells. Ahrenkiel’s research at SD Mines is well-funded by the Department of Energy. Several years ago, he served as the principal investigator on a National Science Foundation-MRI grant, which provided SD Mines with a state-of-the-art transition electron microscope valued at $700,000.