If we were able to capture and use the energy from just two minutes of sunlight falling on the Earth, it would be enough to fuel our cars, light and heat our buildings, and provide for all of our other electricity needs for an entire year.

Simply put, we humans are not facing a shortage of energy. We are facing a technical challenge in capturing it and delivering it to consumers; and one of the most efficient ways to meet that challenge is to invest in better ways to store it.

Many of the world's problems today can be traced to energy use, from conflicts over oil supplies and concerns about greenhouse-gas emissions to lost productivity and output stemming from shortages and blackouts.