Aqua Metals (AQMS) 10-K 25 Feb 21 2020 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 22, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0001621832
Entity Registrant Name	Aqua Metals, Inc.
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-37515
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	47-1169572
Entity Address, Address Line One	2500 Peru Dr.
Entity Address, City or Town	McCarran
Entity Address, State or Province	NV
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	89437
City Area Code	775
Local Phone Number	525-1936
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	AQMS
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 83,299,276
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		67,139,664

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 6,533	$ 7,575
Accounts receivable	32	244
Insurance proceeds receivable	0	17,446
Inventory	1,091	1,257
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	702	981
Total current assets	8,358	27,503
Non-current assets
Property and equipment, net	24,883	37,643
Intellectual property, net	819	999
Other assets	1,078	3,309
Total non-current assets	26,780	41,951
Total assets	35,138	69,454
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	1,552	4,829
Accrued expenses	1,253	4,133
Lease liability, current portion	620	552
Notes payable, current portion	29	296
Total current liabilities	3,454	9,810
Lease liability, non-current portion	242	861
Asset retirement obligation	0	790
Notes payable, non-current portion	303	8,404
Total liabilities	3,999	19,865
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 64,461,065 and 57,997,780 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively	64	58
Additional paid-in capital	196,728	189,422
Accumulated deficit	(165,653)	(139,891)
Total stockholders’ equity	31,139	49,589
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 35,138	$ 69,454

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	64,461,065	57,997,780
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	64,461,065	57,997,780

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Product sales	$ 0	$ 90	$ 0	$ 18	$ 593	$ 2,361	$ 1,483	$ 437	$ 108	$ 4,874
Operating cost and expense
Cost of product sales	1,081	1,635	1,306	1,454	4,702	8,231	7,185	4,681	5,476	24,799
Research and development cost	358	210	217	242	315	282	338	620	1,027	1,555
General and administrative expense	2,712	1,656	2,245	2,385	5,856	5,107	4,335	4,016	8,998	19,314
Total operating expense	4,151	3,501	3,768	4,081	10,873	13,620	11,858	9,317	15,501	45,668
Loss from operations	(4,151)	(3,411)	(3,768)	(4,063)	(10,280)	(11,259)	(10,375)	(8,880)	(15,393)	(40,794)
Other income and expense
Insurance proceeds net of related expenses	1,479	1,722	(52)	(203)	(792)	0	0	0	2,946	(792)
Impairment expense	(11,741)	0	0	0					(11,741)	0
Interest expense	(1,107)	(166)	(164)	(183)	(243)	(142)	(203)	(2,889)	(1,620)	(3,477)
Interest and other income	5	18	3	22	45	85	77	63	48	270
Total other expense, net	(11,364)	1,574	(213)	(364)	(990)	(57)	(126)	(2,826)	(10,367)	(3,999)
Loss before income tax expense	(15,515)	(1,837)	(3,981)	(4,427)	(11,270)	(11,316)	(10,501)	(11,706)	(25,760)	(44,793)
Income tax expense	0	0	(2)	0	0	0	0	(2)	(2)	(2)
Net loss	$ (15,515)	$ (1,837)	$ (3,983)	$ (4,427)	$ (11,270)	$ (11,316)	$ (10,501)	$ (11,708)	$ (25,762)	$ (44,795)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted (in shares)	62,136,421	60,998,971	60,136,374	59,582,603	57,523,283	57,053,982	50,757,448	43,514,225	60,861,450	52,263,885
Basic and diluted net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.42)	$ (0.86)

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]Common Stock [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]Retained Earnings [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	January 2019 Public Offering [Member]Common Stock [Member]	January 2019 Public Offering [Member]Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	January 2019 Public Offering [Member]Retained Earnings [Member]	January 2019 Public Offering [Member]	May 2019 Public Offering [Member]Common Stock [Member]	May 2019 Public Offering [Member]Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	May 2019 Public Offering [Member]Retained Earnings [Member]	May 2019 Public Offering [Member]	ATM [Member]Common Stock [Member]	ATM [Member]Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	ATM [Member]Retained Earnings [Member]	ATM [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018																	38,932,437
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018																	$ 39	$ 145,147	$ (95,096)	$ 50,090
Stock-based compensation																	0	4,206	0	4,206
Warrants issued related to Veolia agreement																	$ 0	5,780	0	$ 5,780
Common stock issued upon RSU vesting (in shares)	854,064																			533,655
Common stock issued upon RSU vesting	$ 1	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1
Common stock issued for consulting services (in shares)																	2,036,279
Common stock issued for consulting services																	$ 2	4,925	0	$ 4,927
Common stock issued, net of transaction costs (in shares)					5,175,000				11,000,000
Common stock issued, net of transaction costs					$ 5	$ 9,058	$ 0	$ 9,063	$ 11	$ 20,306	$ 0	$ 20,317
Net loss																	$ 0	0	(44,795)	(44,795)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019																	57,997,780
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019																	$ 58	189,422	(139,891)	49,589
Stock-based compensation																	$ 0	3,569	0	$ 3,569
Common stock issued upon RSU vesting (in shares)	3,178,337																			691,820
Common stock issued upon RSU vesting	$ 3	$ 0	$ 0	$ 3
Common stock issued for consulting services (in shares)																	67,522
Common stock issued for consulting services																	$ 0	64	0	$ 64
Common stock issued, net of transaction costs (in shares)													3,217,426,000			3,217,426
Common stock issued, net of transaction costs													$ 3	$ 3,673	$ 0	$ 3,676
Net loss																	$ 0	0	(25,762)	(25,762)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020																	64,461,065
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020																	$ 64	$ 196,728	$ (165,653)	$ 31,139

Consolidated Statements of St_2

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
January 2019 Public Offering [Member]
Common stock issued, transaction costs		$ 739
May 2019 Public Offering [Member]
Common stock issued, transaction costs		$ 1,683
ATM [Member]
Common stock issued, transaction costs	$ 216

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (25,762,000)	$ (44,795,000)
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Depreciation	2,231,000	3,899,000
Amortization of intellectual property	180,000	182,000
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	45,000	46,000
Fair value of common stock issued for consulting services	64,000	4,925,000
Stock-based compensation	3,572,000	4,206,000
Warrant expense	0	5,780,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs	607,000	56,000
Non-cash convertible note interest expense	0	2,556,000
Non-cash interest expense	0	95,000
Loss on sale of Ebonex asset	0	90,000
Loss on sale of equipment	90,000	149,000
Impairment of equipment	11,741,000	0
Retirement of asset retirement obligation	521,000	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable	212,000	481,000
Inventory	166,000	(492,000)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	280,000	(612,000)
Accounts payable	(1,999,000)	823,000
Accrued expenses	(2,448,000)	(2,031,000)
Deferred rent	0	(35,000)
Other assets and liabilities	(528,000)	(500,000)
Net cash used in operating activities	(11,028,000)	(25,177,000)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(3,363,000)	(12,802,000)
Proceeds from sale of equipment	162,000	0
Equipment deposits and other assets	(4,000)	(272,000)
Insurance proceeds	9,838,000	2,500,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,633,000	(10,574,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of transaction costs	3,676,000	29,380,000
Proceeds from PPP loan	332,000	0
Payments on notes payable	(654,000)	(295,000)
Payments on convertible note	0	(6,651,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,354,000	22,434,000
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(1,041,000)	(13,317,000)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	7,575,000	20,892,000
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	6,534,000	7,575,000
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	1,044,000	697,000
Cash paid for income taxes	2,000	2,000
Non-cash financing activities
Fair value of common stock issued to consultants	64,000	4,925,000
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions
Change in property and equipment resulting from change in accounts payable	1,280,000	(1,921,000)
Change in property and equipment resulting from change in accrued expenses	431,000	(928,000)
Change in equity resulting from change in accrued expenses	24,000	1,300,000
Change in property and equipment resulting from fire damaged assets written off	0	(19,946,000)
Change in insurance proceeds receivable resulting from fire	0	17,446,000
Change in other assets to extinguish notes payable	8,653,000	0
Change in insurance proceeds receivable resulting from insurance funds held in escrow	$ 7,938,000	$ 0

Note 1 - Organization and Opera

Note 1 - Organization and Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	1. Organization and Operations Aqua Metals, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware and commenced operations on June 20, 2014 ( January 27, 2015, two November 29, 2019, November 29, 2019, Unlike smelting, AquaRefining is a room temperature, water-based process that emits less pollution than smelting, the traditional method of lead recycling. The Company built its recycling facility in Nevada’s Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (“TRIC”) in McCarran, Nevada. The Company commenced the shipment of products for sale, consisting of lead compounds and plastics in April 2017, March 31, 2018 April 2018, July 2018, two October 2018, November 2018, December 2018, 2019, 35,000 24 seven 100 six 16 17 one During the first 2020, first second V1.25L three V1.25a, V1.25b V1.25L, December, 2020, V1.25L 100% V1.0 2018 2019. V1.25L 24/7 December 24 th 50% Liquidity and Management Plans The Company generated revenues of $0.1 million and $4.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2020 may twelve

Note 2 - Summary of Significant

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of presentation and consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include those of Aqua Metals, Inc. and its subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions. The Company has prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Use of estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenses during the period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount and valuation of long-lived assets, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, the determination of fair value of estimated asset retirement obligations, the determination of stock option expense and the determination of the fair value of stock warrants issued. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and cash equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original or remaining maturities of ninety may Accounts receivable The Company has traditionally sold its products to large well-established companies and extends credit without requiring collateral, based on an ongoing evaluation of the customer’s business prospects and financial condition. In the event that payment of a customer’s account receivable is doubtful, the Company would reserve the receivable under an allowance for doubtful accounts. As of December 31, 2020 not not December 31, 2020 Inventory Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is recorded on a first first not Property and equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease. We periodically evaluate our property and equipment assets for indications that the carrying amount of an asset may not December 31, 2020, not Intangible and other long-lived assets Intangible assets consist of patent applications contributed to the Company by five ten may not December 31, 2020 Asset retirement obligations The Company has recorded the fair value of estimated asset retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets in the period incurred. Retirement obligations associated with long-lived assets are those for which there is an obligation for closures and/or site remediation at the end of the assets’ useful lives. These obligations are initially estimated based on discounted cash flow estimates and are accreted to full value over time through charges to operating expense. In addition, asset retirement costs have been capitalized as part of the related asset’s carrying value and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the assets’ respective useful lives. Due to the change in the primary use of the Company's McCarran, Nevada facility, the Written Determination issued to the Company requiring the Facility Closure Trust deposit was terminated by the NDEP on December 9, 2020. Revenue Recognition The Company records revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, 606 606 five 1 2 3 4 5 606 Revenue is generally recognized with the delivery of the Company’s products, primarily hard lead, lead compounds and plastics, to customers. Sales, value add, and other taxes, if any, that are collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue as they are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense. Freight and shipping costs related to the transfer of the Company’s products to customers are included in revenue and cost of product sales. Payment on invoices is generally due within 30 Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations Contracts with customers may 606. not not not Significant Judgments The Company estimates variable consideration for arrangements where the transaction price is not not not Practical Expedients and Exemptions The Company does not one Insurance Proceeds On November 29, 2019, fourth 2019, zero December 31, 2020 $0.1 Research and development Research and development expenditures are expensed as incurred. Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the liability method, deferred assets and liabilities are recognized based upon anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The provision for income taxes is comprised of the current tax liability and the changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company establishes a valuation allowance to the extent that it is more likely than not not The Company recognizes the effect of uncertain income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not 50% Fair value measurements The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and deferred rent approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying value of short and long-term debt, and lease liabilities also approximates fair value since these instruments bear market rates of interest or are calculated using market rates of interest. None Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or payment to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three Level 1. Level 2. not Level 3. The asset or liability’s fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. There are no December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Stock-based compensation The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 The estimation of stock-based awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from the original estimates, such amounts are recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. Net loss per share Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of vested shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by giving effect to all potential dilutive common securities, including convertible notes, options and warrants. Potential dilutive common shares include the dilutive effect of the common stock underlying in-the-money stock options and is calculated based on the average share price for each period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the exercise price of an option and the average amount of compensation cost, if any, for future services that the Company has not For all periods presented in this report, convertible notes, stock options, and warrants were not Year Ended December 31, Excluded potentially dilutive securities (1): 2020 2019 Options to purchase common stock 1,387,673 3,463,692 Unvested restricted stock 5,624,166 259,792 Financing warrants to purchase common stock 103,500 4,805,747 Total potential dilutive securities 7,115,339 8,529,231 ( 1 not Segment and Geographic Information Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise engaging in business activities for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one one Concentration of Credit Risk Revenues from the following customers each represented at least 10% December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 not December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Accounts Receivable (Trade) Revenue As of December 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Clarios (successor of Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc.) 16 % 69 % — % 100 % P. Kay Metals 84 % 28 % — % — % Substantially all of the chemicals used in our refining process has been provided by one supplier. Historically, the supply of used lead acid batteries has been provided by two vendors. The Company did not December 31, 2020 two December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 2020 2019 Supplier A — % 69 % Supplier B — % 30 % Recent accounting pronouncements There were no December 31, 2020

Note 3 - Revenue Recognition

Note 3 - Revenue Recognition	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]	3. Revenue recognition The Company has historically generated revenues by recycling lead acid batteries (“LABs”) and selling the recovered lead to its customers. Primary components of the recycling process include sales of recycled lead consisting of lead compounds, ingoted hard lead and ingoted AquaRefined lead as well as plastics. The Company commenced the shipment of products for sale, consisting of lead compounds and plastics, in April 2017, March 31, 2018, April 2018, June 2018, The Company was not 2020. December 31, 2020 December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019

Note 4 - Inventory, Net

Note 4 - Inventory, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	4. Inventory, net Inventory consisted of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2020 2019 Finished goods $ 2 $ 47 Work in process 247 322 Raw materials 842 888 $ 1,091 $ 1,257

Note 5 - Property and Equipment

Note 5 - Property and Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	5. Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following (in thousands): December 31, Asset Class Useful Life (Years) 2020 2019 Operational equipment 3 - 10 $ 12,126 $ 12,094 Lab equipment 5 524 525 Computer equipment 3 222 221 Office furniture and equipment 3 221 221 Land — 1,047 1,047 Building 39 19,508 19,508 Asset retirement cost 20 — 670 Equipment under construction 3,597 9,921 37,245 44,207 Less: accumulated depreciation (12,362 ) (6,564 ) $ 24,883 $ 37,643 Property and equipment depreciation expense was $1.9 million and $3.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 On November 29, 2019, December 31, 2019 December 31, 2020 not

Note 6 - Intellectual Property

Note 6 - Intellectual Property	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	6. Intellectual Property Intellectual property, net, is comprised of the following (in thousands): 2020 2019 Intellectual property $ 1,794 $ 1,794 Accumulated amortization (975 ) (795 ) Intellectual property, net $ 819 $ 999 Aggregate amortization expense for both of the years ended December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Estimated future amortization is as follows as of December 31, 2020 2021 $ 179 2022 179 2023 179 2024 135 2025 70 Thereafter 77 Total estimated future amortization $ 819

Note 7 - Other Assets

Note 7 - Other Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	7. Other Assets Other assets consist of the following (in thousands). December 31, 2020 2019 Alameda and Nevada facilities Right of Use Assets (1) 716 1,197 CD for Green Bank collateral security (2) — 1,034 Equipment deposits (3) 258 254 Facility Closure Trust deposit (4) — 670 Other assets 104 154 Total other assets, non-current $ 1,078 $ 3,309 ( 1 12. ( 2 December 10, 2020. ( 3 ( 4 December 9, 2020.

Note 8 - Accrued Liabilities

Note 8 - Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]	8. Accrued liabilities Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2020 2019 Property and equipment related $ 715 $ 1,146 Payroll related 479 1,807 Use tax accrual 1 23 Professional services — 879 Other 58 278 $ 1,253 $ 4,133

Note 9 - Asset Retirement Oblig

Note 9 - Asset Retirement Obligation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block]	9. Asset Retirement Obligation ASC Topic 410 20, 2016. March 31, 2017, The Company entered into a facility closure trust agreement in October 2017 December 9, 2020. December 31, 2019

Note 10 - Convertible Note

Note 10 - Convertible Note	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	10. Convertible Note The convertible note payable bore interest at 11% per annum and was due May 24, 2019. three May 24, 2019. On January 24, 2019,

Note 11 - Notes Payable

Note 11 - Notes Payable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	11. Notes Payable Aqua Metals Reno, Inc. (“AMR”), a subsidiary of Aqua Metals Inc., entered into a $10,000,000 loan with Green Bank on November 3, 2015. twenty-one first twelve first six two 1.0 twelve March 31, 2017), 1.0 1.0. March 31, 2017 September 30, 2020. The net proceeds of the loan were used for the construction of the Company’s lead acid recycling operation in McCarran, Nevada. Collateral for this loan was AMR’s accounts receivable, goods, equipment, fixtures, inventory, accessions and a certificate of deposit in the amount of $1,000,000. The certificate of deposit is reported in "Other Assets" in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The loan was guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (“USDA”), in the amount of 90% of the principal amount of the loan. The Company paid a guarantee fee to the USDA in the amount of $270,000 at the time of closing and was required to pay to the USDA an annual fee in the amount of 0.50% of the guaranteed portion of the outstanding principal balance of the loan as of December 31 twenty-one December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 On December 10, 2020, On May 7, 2020, The unforgiven portion of the PPP loans are now payable over five 1%, September 2021. December 31, 2020, one two no Notes payable is comprised of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2020 2019 Notes payable, current portion Paycheck Protection Program $ 29 $ — Veritex, net of issuance costs — 296 $ 29 $ 296 Notes payable, non-current portion Paycheck Protection Program $ 303 $ — Veritex, net of issuance costs — 8,404 $ 303 $ 8,404 The future principal payments related to the Paycheck Protection Program obligations are as follows as of December 31, 2020 2021 $ 29 2022 88 2023 88 2024 89 2025 38 Total loan payments $ 332

Note 12 - Leases

Note 12 - Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Lessee, Operating and Finance Leases [Text Block]	12. Leases The Company currently maintains one two one December 31, 2020 December 31, 2020 twelve December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Based on the present value of the lease payments for the remaining lease term of the Company's existing leases, as of December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Information related to the Company's right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities were as follows (in thousands): Twelve Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Cash paid for operating lease liabilities $ 642 $ 624 Operating lease cost $ 577 $ 577 December 31, 2020 Weighted-average remaining lease term (Years) 1.2 Weighted-average discount rate 9.66 % Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 Due in 12 December 31, 2021 $ 661 2022 $ 227 $ 888 Less imputed interest $ (52 ) Total lease liabilities $ 836 Current operating lease liabilities $ 614 Non-current operating lease liabilities $ 222 $ 836 Note: Excludes a finance lease with current liability of $6 and a non-current liability of $20.

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	13. Stockholders’ Equity Authorized capital The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. In the event of liquidation of the Company, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities. The common stock has no no The holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one may Veolia Agreement On February 26, 2019, March 4, 2019 In consideration of the services to be provided by Veolia under the agreement, we agreed to issue to Veolia a total of 2,350,000 shares of our common stock in eight one second ten During the year ended December 31, 2019, November 2019 2019 On January 22, 2019, On May 14, 2019, Other shares issued During the year ended December 31, 2019 During the year ended December 31, 2019 During the year ended December 31, 2019 During the year ended December 31, 2019 February 7, 2017 During the year ended December 31, 2020 During the year ended December 31, 2020 During the year ended December 31, 2020 During the year ended December 31, 2020 During the year ended December 31, 2020 During the year ended December 31, 2020 During the year ended December 31, 2020 Warrants issued In January 2019, January 22, 2019 5,175,000 100% six January 22, 2019 January 22, 2024. Pursuant to the Operations, Maintenance and Management Agreement dated February 26, 2019, one 2,000,000 $5.00 second 2,000,000 $7.00 ten November 2019 The following assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model to estimate the fair value of the warrants (FV of warrants in thousands). Veolia Warrant #1 Veolia Warrant #2 Jan. 2019 Offering Underwriter Warrant shares issued 2,000,000 2,000,000 103,500 Market price $ 3.02 $ 3.02 $ 2.16 Exercise price $ 5.00 $ 7.00 $ 1.90 Term (years) 10 10 5 Risk-free interest rate 2.64 % 2.64 % 2.57 % Volatility 81.50 % 81.50 % 81.00 % Dividend rate — % — % — % Per share FV of warrant $ 2.35 $ 2.24 $ 1.47 FV of warrant $ 4,699 $ 4,474 $ 152 The fair value of each of the warrants was recorded as an increase to business development and management costs and as an increase in additional paid in-capital. Warrants outstanding Warrants outstanding to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $1.90 per share are as follows. Shares Subject to Purchase Exercise Price per Share Expiration Date at December 31, 2020 $ 1.90 1/22/2024 103,500 Stock-based compensation In 2014, “2014 2014 2017 2014 2017. 2014 2014 may may not may not In 2019, “2019 2019 2020 2019 2019 2019 may may not may not Stock-based compensation expense recorded was allocated as follows (in thousands): Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 Cost of product sales $ 90 $ 357 Research and development cost 183 200 General and administrative expense 3,296 3,649 Total $ 3,569 $ 4,206 The following assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of the awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2019 December 31, 2020 Year ended December 31, 2019 Expected stock volatility 82.2 - 87.5 % Risk free interest rate 1.7 - 2.6 % Expected years until exercise 1.0 - 4.0 Dividend yield — % The risk-free interest rate assumption was based on the United States Treasury’s zero not No. 107 No. 110 No. 107 110” No. 107 110, The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation plan activity and related information through December 31, 2020 Options Outstanding RSUs Outstanding Weighted- Weighted- Number of Average Average Shares Exercise Grant Date Available for Number of Price Per Number of Fair Value Grant Shares Share RSUs Per Share Balance at December 31, 2018 805,749 1,694,068 $ 4.57 96,623 $ 4.01 Authorized 4,500,000 — — — — Granted (3,468,296 ) 2,197,074 3.19 1,271,222 1.52 Exercised/ Released — — — (970,630 ) 1.63 Forfeited 564,873 (427,450 ) 4.46 (137,423 ) 1.85 Balance at December 31, 2019 2,402,326 3,463,692 $ 3.71 259,792 $ 1.83 Authorized 7,000,000 — — — — Granted (8,056,280 ) — — 8,056,280 0.64 Exercised/ Released — — — (2,514,000 ) 0.72 Forfeited 2,253,925 (2,076,019 ) 3.59 (177,906 ) 0.50 Issued to fulfill obligations for separation agreements (201,101 ) — — — — Balance at December 31, 2020 3,398,870 1,387,673 $ 3.89 5,624,166 $ 0.66 There were no December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Additional information related to the status of options at December 31, 2020 Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Exercise Remaining Aggregate Price Per Contractual Intrinsic Value Shares Share Life (Years) (in thousands) Outstanding 1,387,673 $ 3.89 1.98 $ 434 Vested and exercisable 1,068,284 $ 3.80 1.85 $ 400 The intrinsic value of options is the fair value of the Company’s stock at December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2020 The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2020 Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Remaining Remaining Contractual Contractual Number of Life Number of Life Range of Exercise Prices Shares (Years) Shares (Years) 1.600 -2.5050 414,159 1.22 375,270 1.05 2.511 -3.1414 422,833 2.34 282,333 2.34 3.155 -3.8686 17,482 4.33 17,482 4.33 3.877 -4.6464 69,485 2.34 69,485 2.34 4.655 -16.5454 463,714 2.19 323,714 2.12 1,387,673 1.98 1,068,284 1.85 2019 In January 2019, five In January 2019, five In February 2019, five five five three three In March 2019, five five five three three In May 2019, five In July 2019, three five In July 2019, three five 2019 In January 2019, six three In July 2019, September 30, 2019. In August 2019, three twelve In September 2019, March 20, 2020. 2020 In March 2020, three three Total intrinsic value of Restricted Shares outstanding at December 31, 2020 2020 In March 2020, six three In May 2020, March 2020, 2019 six three In May 2020, three three In August 2020, In December 2020, three Total intrinsic value of RSUs vested and released during 2020 December 31, 2020 Reserved shares At December 31, 2020 Number of Shares Equity Plan Subject to outstanding options and restricted shares 7,011,839 Available for future grants 3,398,870 Officer and Director Purchase Plan 237,382 Warrants 103,500 10,751,591

Note 14 - Commitments and Conti

Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	14. Commitments and Contingencies Executive resignations On April 19, 2018, one On December 3, 2018, one 2 two six March 1, 2019, first 21 Lease commitments As discussed in Note 12, August 7, 2015, February 4, 2019 February 4, 2019, May 31, 2022. In July 2018, The future minimum payments related to these leases are as follows as of December 31, 2020 2021 661 2022 227 Total minimum lease payments $ 888 During both of the years ended December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Interstate Battery Agreement commitment On June 24, 2018, one no May 18, 2019. The Company paid Interstate Battery a one February 20, 2019 Clarios (successor of Johnson Controls) Agreement Commitment Pursuant to the Clarios Investor Rights Agreement, the Company had agreed to compensate Clarios should either Stephen Clarke, the Company’s then current chief executive officer, or Selwyn Mould, the Company’s then current chief operating officer, no no 18 February 7, 2017. $1.0 18 30 February 7, 2017. may June 2019. Legal proceedings See Item 3.

Note 15 - Related Party Transac

Note 15 - Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	15. Related Party Transactions The Company has adopted a policy that any transactions with directors, officers, beneficial owners of five

Note 16 - Income Taxes

Note 16 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	16. Income Taxes Loss before income tax expense consists of the following (in thousands): Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 US $ (25,760 ) $ (44,793 ) Foreign — — Total $ (25,760 ) $ (44,793 ) The components of the provision for income tax expense consist of the following (in thousands): Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 Current Federal $ — $ — State 2 2 Deferred Federal — — State — — Total provision for income taxes $ 2 $ 2 Reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rates consist of the following : Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 Tax at federal statutory rate 21.00 % 21.00 % State tax, net of federal benefit 0.05 % 0.06 % Change in rate — % (0.07 )% Valuation allowance (15.54 )% (19.11 )% Impairment charge of acquired IP — % (0.24 )% Excess benefits from equity compensation (5.66 )% — % Other 0.14 % (1.64 )% Provision for taxes (0.01 )% — % The components of deferred tax assets (liabilities) included on the consolidated balance sheet are as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2020 2019 Deferred tax assets Capitalized start-up costs $ 3,461 $ 3,767 Credits 402 364 Fixed assets 2,160 — Net operating losses 25,116 20,049 Others 553 2,744 Total gross deferred tax assets 31,692 26,924 Valuation allowance (30,717 ) (26,713 ) Total gross deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance) $ 975 $ 211 Deferred tax liabilities Patents $ (156 ) $ (192 ) Fixed assets — (19 ) Beneficial conversion feature - debt discount (819 ) — Total gross deferred tax liabilities (975 ) (211 ) Net deferred tax assets $ — $ — Based on the available objective evidence at this time, management believes that it is more likely than not not December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2020 2020 The Company has Federal and California net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $118.2 million and $4.3 million, respectively, which will begin to expire in December 31, 2034 Utilization of the Company’s net operating loss may At December 31, 2020 not December 31, 2034. The Company’s policy is to account for interest and penalties as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2020 no No The Company maintains liabilities for uncertain tax positions. These liabilities involve considerable judgement and estimation and are continuously monitored by management based on the best information available, including changes in tax regulations, the outcome of relevant court cases, and other information. The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. At December 31, 2020 none not twelve The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020. The Company files income tax returns with the United States federal government and the State of California. The Company’s tax returns for all prior years from the Company's inception in 2014

Note 17 - 401(k) Savings Plan

Note 17 - 401(k) Savings Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Postemployment Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	17. 401 The Company maintains a defined-contribution savings plan under Section 401 “401 401 December 31, 2020, not

Note 18 - Supplemental Financia

Note 18 - Supplemental Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	18. Supplemental Financial Information Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) The following tables present the unaudited statements of operations data for each of the eight December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 not Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Three months ended March 31, 2020 June 30, 2020 September 30, 2020 December 31, 2020 Total for year 2020 Product sales $ 18 $ — $ 90 — $ 108 Operating cost and expense Cost of product sales 1,454 1,306 1,635 1,081 5,476 Research and development cost 242 217 210 358 1,027 General and administrative expense 2,385 2,245 1,656 2,712 8,998 Total operating expenses 4,081 3,768 3,501 4,151 15,501 Loss from operations (4,063 ) (3,768 ) (3,411 ) (4,151 ) (15,393 ) Other income and expense Insurance proceeds net of related expenses (203 ) (52 ) 1,722 1,479 2,946 Impairment expense — — — (11,741 ) (11,741 ) Interest expense (183 ) (164 ) (166 ) (1,107 ) (1,620 ) Interest and other income 22 3 18 5 48 Total other expense, net (364 ) (213 ) 1,574 (11,364 ) (10,367 ) Loss before income tax expense (4,427 ) (3,981 ) (1,837 ) (15,515 ) (25,760 ) Income tax expense — (2 ) — — (2 ) Net loss $ (4,427 ) $ (3,983 ) $ (1,837 ) $ (15,515 ) $ (25,762 ) Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted 59,582,603 60,136,374 60,998,971 62,136,421 60,861,450 Basic and diluted net loss per share $ (0.07 ) $ (0.07 ) $ (0.03 ) $ (0.25 ) $ (0.42 ) Three months ended March 31, 2019 June 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2019 Total for year 2019 Product sales $ 437 $ 1,483 $ 2,361 $ 593 $ 4,874 Operating cost and expense Cost of product sales 4,681 7,185 8,231 4,702 24,799 Research and development cost 620 338 282 315 1,555 General and administrative expense 4,016 4,335 5,107 5,856 19,314 Total operating expenses 9,317 11,858 13,620 10,873 45,668 Loss from operations (8,880 ) (10,375 ) (11,259 ) (10,280 ) (40,794 ) Other income and expense Insurance proceeds net of related expenses — — — (792 ) (792 ) Interest expense (2,889 ) (203 ) (142 ) (243 ) (3,477 ) Interest and other income 63 77 85 45 270 Total other expense, net (2,826 ) (126 ) (57 ) (990 ) (3,999 ) Loss before income tax expense (11,706 ) (10,501 ) (11,316 ) (11,270 ) (44,793 ) Income tax expense (2 ) — — — (2 ) Net loss $ (11,708 ) $ (10,501 ) $ (11,316 ) $ (11,270 ) $ (44,795 ) Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted 43,514,225 50,757,448 57,053,982 57,523,283 52,263,885 Basic and diluted net loss per share $ (0.27 ) $ (0.21 ) $ (0.20 ) $ (0.20 ) $ (0.86 )

Note 19 - Subsequent Events

Note 19 - Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	19. Subsequent Events The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date which the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued. Paycheck Protection Program Loan On January 9, 2021, one two no At the Market Share Issuance Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2020 Agreements with LINICO Corporation On February 15, 2021, Industrial Lease and Option to Purchase Agreement The Company have entered into an Industrial Lease Agreement with LiNiCo dated February 15, 2021 April 1, 2021 March 31, 2023. October 1, 2022 October 1, 2022 March 31, 2023. October 15, 2021 second November 22, 2022, six With respect to the portion of the facility that was damaged in the November 2019 July 31, 2021 November 15, 2021. first Investment Agreement On February 15, 2021, three 1,500 11% The LiNiCo Series A Preferred Stock is senior to all other capital stock of LiNiCo with regard to dividends and distributions upon liquidation, dissolution and sale of the company. Each share of LiNiCo Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to one $1,000 The Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement includes customary representations, warranties, and covenants by LiNiCo and the Company, and an indemnity from the Company in favor of LiNiCo. In the event that LiNiCo’s sale of the initial 281,250 of the Aqua Shares results in net proceeds to LiNiCo of less than $1,500,000, the Company will be required to pay LiNiCo the difference in cash. If the sale of the 281,250 $1,500,000, six 93,750 281,250 In connection with the investment transactions, the Company also entered into an Investors Rights Agreement and a Voting Agreement, each dated February 15, 2021, one 10% Comstock Mining Inc., a Nevada corporation (NYSE-MKT: LODE), is the beneficial owner of approximately 50% of the common shares of LiNiCo. The Company's Chief Financial Officer, Judd Merrill, is a member of the board of directors of Comstock Mining.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of presentation and consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include those of Aqua Metals, Inc. and its subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions. The Company has prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenses during the period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount and valuation of long-lived assets, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, the determination of fair value of estimated asset retirement obligations, the determination of stock option expense and the determination of the fair value of stock warrants issued. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and cash equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original or remaining maturities of ninety may
Accounts Receivable [Policy Text Block]	Accounts receivable The Company has traditionally sold its products to large well-established companies and extends credit without requiring collateral, based on an ongoing evaluation of the customer’s business prospects and financial condition. In the event that payment of a customer’s account receivable is doubtful, the Company would reserve the receivable under an allowance for doubtful accounts. As of December 31, 2020 not not December 31, 2020
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventory Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is recorded on a first first not
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease. We periodically evaluate our property and equipment assets for indications that the carrying amount of an asset may not December 31, 2020, not
Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Intangible and other long-lived assets Intangible assets consist of patent applications contributed to the Company by five ten may not December 31, 2020
Asset Retirement Obligation [Policy Text Block]	Asset retirement obligations The Company has recorded the fair value of estimated asset retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets in the period incurred. Retirement obligations associated with long-lived assets are those for which there is an obligation for closures and/or site remediation at the end of the assets’ useful lives. These obligations are initially estimated based on discounted cash flow estimates and are accreted to full value over time through charges to operating expense. In addition, asset retirement costs have been capitalized as part of the related asset’s carrying value and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the assets’ respective useful lives. Due to the change in the primary use of the Company's McCarran, Nevada facility, the Written Determination issued to the Company requiring the Facility Closure Trust deposit was terminated by the NDEP on December 9, 2020.
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition The Company records revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, 606 606 five 1 2 3 4 5 606 Revenue is generally recognized with the delivery of the Company’s products, primarily hard lead, lead compounds and plastics, to customers. Sales, value add, and other taxes, if any, that are collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue as they are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense. Freight and shipping costs related to the transfer of the Company’s products to customers are included in revenue and cost of product sales. Payment on invoices is generally due within 30 Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations Contracts with customers may 606. not not not Significant Judgments The Company estimates variable consideration for arrangements where the transaction price is not not not Practical Expedients and Exemptions The Company does not one
Insurance Proceeds [Policy Text Block]	Insurance Proceeds On November 29, 2019, fourth 2019, zero December 31, 2020 $0.1
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research and development Research and development expenditures are expensed as incurred.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the liability method, deferred assets and liabilities are recognized based upon anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The provision for income taxes is comprised of the current tax liability and the changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company establishes a valuation allowance to the extent that it is more likely than not not The Company recognizes the effect of uncertain income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not 50%
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair value measurements The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and deferred rent approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying value of short and long-term debt, and lease liabilities also approximates fair value since these instruments bear market rates of interest or are calculated using market rates of interest. None Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or payment to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three Level 1. Level 2. not Level 3. The asset or liability’s fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. There are no December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]	Stock-based compensation The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 The estimation of stock-based awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from the original estimates, such amounts are recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Net loss per share Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of vested shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by giving effect to all potential dilutive common securities, including convertible notes, options and warrants. Potential dilutive common shares include the dilutive effect of the common stock underlying in-the-money stock options and is calculated based on the average share price for each period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the exercise price of an option and the average amount of compensation cost, if any, for future services that the Company has not For all periods presented in this report, convertible notes, stock options, and warrants were not Year Ended December 31, Excluded potentially dilutive securities (1): 2020 2019 Options to purchase common stock 1,387,673 3,463,692 Unvested restricted stock 5,624,166 259,792 Financing warrants to purchase common stock 103,500 4,805,747 Total potential dilutive securities 7,115,339 8,529,231 ( 1 not
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Segment and Geographic Information Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise engaging in business activities for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one one
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of Credit Risk Revenues from the following customers each represented at least 10% December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 not December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Accounts Receivable (Trade) Revenue As of December 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Clarios (successor of Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc.) 16 % 69 % — % 100 % P. Kay Metals 84 % 28 % — % — % Substantially all of the chemicals used in our refining process has been provided by one supplier. Historically, the supply of used lead acid batteries has been provided by two vendors. The Company did not December 31, 2020 two December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 2020 2019 Supplier A — % 69 % Supplier B — % 30 %
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent accounting pronouncements There were no December 31, 2020

Note 2 - Summary of Significa_2

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, Excluded potentially dilutive securities (1): 2020 2019 Options to purchase common stock 1,387,673 3,463,692 Unvested restricted stock 5,624,166 259,792 Financing warrants to purchase common stock 103,500 4,805,747 Total potential dilutive securities 7,115,339 8,529,231
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]	Accounts Receivable (Trade) Revenue As of December 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Clarios (successor of Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc.) 16 % 69 % — % 100 % P. Kay Metals 84 % 28 % — % — % 2020 2019 Supplier A — % 69 % Supplier B — % 30 %

Note 4 - Inventory, Net (Tables

Note 4 - Inventory, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Finished goods $ 2 $ 47 Work in process 247 322 Raw materials 842 888 $ 1,091 $ 1,257

Note 5 - Property and Equipme_2

Note 5 - Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	December 31, Asset Class Useful Life (Years) 2020 2019 Operational equipment 3 - 10 $ 12,126 $ 12,094 Lab equipment 5 524 525 Computer equipment 3 222 221 Office furniture and equipment 3 221 221 Land — 1,047 1,047 Building 39 19,508 19,508 Asset retirement cost 20 — 670 Equipment under construction 3,597 9,921 37,245 44,207 Less: accumulated depreciation (12,362 ) (6,564 ) $ 24,883 $ 37,643

Note 6 - Intellectual Property

Note 6 - Intellectual Property (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	2020 2019 Intellectual property $ 1,794 $ 1,794 Accumulated amortization (975 ) (795 ) Intellectual property, net $ 819 $ 999
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	2021 $ 179 2022 179 2023 179 2024 135 2025 70 Thereafter 77 Total estimated future amortization $ 819

Note 7 - Other Assets (Tables)

Note 7 - Other Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Alameda and Nevada facilities Right of Use Assets (1) 716 1,197 CD for Green Bank collateral security (2) — 1,034 Equipment deposits (3) 258 254 Facility Closure Trust deposit (4) — 670 Other assets 104 154 Total other assets, non-current $ 1,078 $ 3,309

Note 8 - Accrued Liabilities (T

Note 8 - Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Property and equipment related $ 715 $ 1,146 Payroll related 479 1,807 Use tax accrual 1 23 Professional services — 879 Other 58 278 $ 1,253 $ 4,133

Note 11 - Notes Payable (Tables

Note 11 - Notes Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Notes payable, current portion Paycheck Protection Program $ 29 $ — Veritex, net of issuance costs — 296 $ 29 $ 296 Notes payable, non-current portion Paycheck Protection Program $ 303 $ — Veritex, net of issuance costs — 8,404 $ 303 $ 8,404
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	2021 $ 29 2022 88 2023 88 2024 89 2025 38 Total loan payments $ 332

Note 12 - Leases (Tables)

Note 12 - Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]	Twelve Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Cash paid for operating lease liabilities $ 642 $ 624 Operating lease cost $ 577 $ 577 December 31, 2020 Weighted-average remaining lease term (Years) 1.2 Weighted-average discount rate 9.66 %
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]	2021 $ 661 2022 $ 227 $ 888 Less imputed interest $ (52 ) Total lease liabilities $ 836 Current operating lease liabilities $ 614 Non-current operating lease liabilities $ 222 $ 836

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Warrant Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	Veolia Warrant #1 Veolia Warrant #2 Jan. 2019 Offering Underwriter Warrant shares issued 2,000,000 2,000,000 103,500 Market price $ 3.02 $ 3.02 $ 2.16 Exercise price $ 5.00 $ 7.00 $ 1.90 Term (years) 10 10 5 Risk-free interest rate 2.64 % 2.64 % 2.57 % Volatility 81.50 % 81.50 % 81.00 % Dividend rate — % — % — % Per share FV of warrant $ 2.35 $ 2.24 $ 1.47 FV of warrant $ 4,699 $ 4,474 $ 152
Schedule of Stockholders' Equity Note, Warrants or Rights [Table Text Block]	Shares Subject to Purchase Exercise Price per Share Expiration Date at December 31, 2020 $ 1.90 1/22/2024 103,500
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 Cost of product sales $ 90 $ 357 Research and development cost 183 200 General and administrative expense 3,296 3,649 Total $ 3,569 $ 4,206
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2019 Expected stock volatility 82.2 - 87.5 % Risk free interest rate 1.7 - 2.6 % Expected years until exercise 1.0 - 4.0 Dividend yield — %
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option and Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block]	Options Outstanding RSUs Outstanding Weighted- Weighted- Number of Average Average Shares Exercise Grant Date Available for Number of Price Per Number of Fair Value Grant Shares Share RSUs Per Share Balance at December 31, 2018 805,749 1,694,068 $ 4.57 96,623 $ 4.01 Authorized 4,500,000 — — — — Granted (3,468,296 ) 2,197,074 3.19 1,271,222 1.52 Exercised/ Released — — — (970,630 ) 1.63 Forfeited 564,873 (427,450 ) 4.46 (137,423 ) 1.85 Balance at December 31, 2019 2,402,326 3,463,692 $ 3.71 259,792 $ 1.83 Authorized 7,000,000 — — — — Granted (8,056,280 ) — — 8,056,280 0.64 Exercised/ Released — — — (2,514,000 ) 0.72 Forfeited 2,253,925 (2,076,019 ) 3.59 (177,906 ) 0.50 Issued to fulfill obligations for separation agreements (201,101 ) — — — — Balance at December 31, 2020 3,398,870 1,387,673 $ 3.89 5,624,166 $ 0.66 Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Exercise Remaining Aggregate Price Per Contractual Intrinsic Value Shares Share Life (Years) (in thousands) Outstanding 1,387,673 $ 3.89 1.98 $ 434 Vested and exercisable 1,068,284 $ 3.80 1.85 $ 400
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]	Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Remaining Remaining Contractual Contractual Number of Life Number of Life Range of Exercise Prices Shares (Years) Shares (Years) 1.600 -2.5050 414,159 1.22 375,270 1.05 2.511 -3.1414 422,833 2.34 282,333 2.34 3.155 -3.8686 17,482 4.33 17,482 4.33 3.877 -4.6464 69,485 2.34 69,485 2.34 4.655 -16.5454 463,714 2.19 323,714 2.12 1,387,673 1.98 1,068,284 1.85
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block]	Number of Shares Equity Plan Subject to outstanding options and restricted shares 7,011,839 Available for future grants 3,398,870 Officer and Director Purchase Plan 237,382 Warrants 103,500 10,751,591

Note 14 - Commitments and Con_2

Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	2021 661 2022 227 Total minimum lease payments $ 888

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Tables)

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 US $ (25,760 ) $ (44,793 ) Foreign — — Total $ (25,760 ) $ (44,793 )
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 Current Federal $ — $ — State 2 2 Deferred Federal — — State — — Total provision for income taxes $ 2 $ 2
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 Tax at federal statutory rate 21.00 % 21.00 % State tax, net of federal benefit 0.05 % 0.06 % Change in rate — % (0.07 )% Valuation allowance (15.54 )% (19.11 )% Impairment charge of acquired IP — % (0.24 )% Excess benefits from equity compensation (5.66 )% — % Other 0.14 % (1.64 )% Provision for taxes (0.01 )% — %
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020 2019 Deferred tax assets Capitalized start-up costs $ 3,461 $ 3,767 Credits 402 364 Fixed assets 2,160 — Net operating losses 25,116 20,049 Others 553 2,744 Total gross deferred tax assets 31,692 26,924 Valuation allowance (30,717 ) (26,713 ) Total gross deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance) $ 975 $ 211 Deferred tax liabilities Patents $ (156 ) $ (192 ) Fixed assets — (19 ) Beneficial conversion feature - debt discount (819 ) — Total gross deferred tax liabilities (975 ) (211 ) Net deferred tax assets $ — $ —

Note 18 - Supplemental Financ_2

Note 18 - Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2020 June 30, 2020 September 30, 2020 December 31, 2020 Total for year 2020 Product sales $ 18 $ — $ 90 — $ 108 Operating cost and expense Cost of product sales 1,454 1,306 1,635 1,081 5,476 Research and development cost 242 217 210 358 1,027 General and administrative expense 2,385 2,245 1,656 2,712 8,998 Total operating expenses 4,081 3,768 3,501 4,151 15,501 Loss from operations (4,063 ) (3,768 ) (3,411 ) (4,151 ) (15,393 ) Other income and expense Insurance proceeds net of related expenses (203 ) (52 ) 1,722 1,479 2,946 Impairment expense — — — (11,741 ) (11,741 ) Interest expense (183 ) (164 ) (166 ) (1,107 ) (1,620 ) Interest and other income 22 3 18 5 48 Total other expense, net (364 ) (213 ) 1,574 (11,364 ) (10,367 ) Loss before income tax expense (4,427 ) (3,981 ) (1,837 ) (15,515 ) (25,760 ) Income tax expense — (2 ) — — (2 ) Net loss $ (4,427 ) $ (3,983 ) $ (1,837 ) $ (15,515 ) $ (25,762 ) Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted 59,582,603 60,136,374 60,998,971 62,136,421 60,861,450 Basic and diluted net loss per share $ (0.07 ) $ (0.07 ) $ (0.03 ) $ (0.25 ) $ (0.42 ) Three months ended March 31, 2019 June 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2019 Total for year 2019 Product sales $ 437 $ 1,483 $ 2,361 $ 593 $ 4,874 Operating cost and expense Cost of product sales 4,681 7,185 8,231 4,702 24,799 Research and development cost 620 338 282 315 1,555 General and administrative expense 4,016 4,335 5,107 5,856 19,314 Total operating expenses 9,317 11,858 13,620 10,873 45,668 Loss from operations (8,880 ) (10,375 ) (11,259 ) (10,280 ) (40,794 ) Other income and expense Insurance proceeds net of related expenses — — — (792 ) (792 ) Interest expense (2,889 ) (203 ) (142 ) (243 ) (3,477 ) Interest and other income 63 77 85 45 270 Total other expense, net (2,826 ) (126 ) (57 ) (990 ) (3,999 ) Loss before income tax expense (11,706 ) (10,501 ) (11,316 ) (11,270 ) (44,793 ) Income tax expense (2 ) — — — (2 ) Net loss $ (11,708 ) $ (10,501 ) $ (11,316 ) $ (11,270 ) $ (44,795 ) Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted 43,514,225 50,757,448 57,053,982 57,523,283 52,263,885 Basic and diluted net loss per share $ (0.27 ) $ (0.21 ) $ (0.20 ) $ (0.20 ) $ (0.86 )

Note 1 - Organization and Ope_2

Note 1 - Organization and Operations (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Number of Subsidiaries	2								2
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax, Total	$ 0	$ 90	$ 0	$ 18	$ 593	$ 2,361	$ 1,483	$ 437	$ 108	$ 4,874
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total	(15,515)	$ (1,837)	$ (3,983)	$ (4,427)	(11,270)	$ (11,316)	$ (10,501)	$ (11,708)	(25,762)	(44,795)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Ending Balance	$ 6,533				$ 7,575				$ 6,533	$ 7,575

Note 2 - Summary of Significa_3

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	Nov. 29, 2019USD ($)	Feb. 25, 2021USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use			$ 11,741	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 11,741	$ 0
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities							$ 9,838	2,500
Number of Operating Segments							1
Number of Geographic Segments							1
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current, Total			32				$ 32	$ 244
Cost of Goods and Service Benchmark [Member] | Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] | Chemicals [Member]
Number of Major Suppliers							1
Cost of Goods and Service Benchmark [Member] | Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] | Lead Acid Batteries [Member]
Number of Major Suppliers							2
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current, Total			$ 0				$ 0
AquaRefining Fire [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Write-off	$ 19,900
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities							23,400
AquaRefining Fire [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities		$ 100
Construction in Progress Not Yet Capitalized [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Write-off							7,700
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Write-off							$ 4,000

Note 2 - Summary of Significa_4

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation of Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Total potential dilutive securities (in shares)	[1]	7,115,339	8,529,231
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Total potential dilutive securities (in shares)	[1]	1,387,673	3,463,692
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Total potential dilutive securities (in shares)	[1]	5,624,166	259,792
Warrant [Member]
Total potential dilutive securities (in shares)	[1]	103,500	4,805,747
[1]	The number of shares is based on the maximum number of shares issuable on exercise or conversion of the related securities as of the period end. Such amounts have not been adjusted for the treasury stock method or weighted average outstanding calculations as required if the securities were dilutive.

Note 2 - Summary of Significa_5

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Concentration of Credit Risk (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cost of Goods and Service Benchmark [Member] | Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] | Lead Acid Batteries [Member] | Supplier A [Member]
Concentration risk	0.00%	69.00%
Cost of Goods and Service Benchmark [Member] | Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] | Lead Acid Batteries [Member] | Supplier B [Member]
Concentration risk	0.00%	30.00%
Revenue Benchmark [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Clarios [Member]
Concentration risk	16.00%	69.00%
Revenue Benchmark [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | P. Kay Metals [Member]
Concentration risk	84.00%	28.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Clarios [Member]
Concentration risk	0.00%	100.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | P. Kay Metals [Member]
Concentration risk	0.00%	0.00%

Note 3 - Revenue Recognition (D

Note 3 - Revenue Recognition (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Percentage of Revenue From Products Transferred at Point in Time	100.00%	100.00%

Note 4 - Inventory, Net - Inven

Note 4 - Inventory, Net - Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Finished goods	$ 2	$ 47
Work in process	247	322
Raw materials	842	888
Inventory, Net, Total	$ 1,091	$ 1,257

Note 5 - Property and Equipme_3

Note 5 - Property and Equipment, Net (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	Nov. 29, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)ft²	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)ft²	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Depreciation, Total						$ 1,900	$ 3,500
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use		$ 11,741	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 11,741	$ 0
AquaRefining Fire [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Transfers and Changes	$ 22,400
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Sale or Disposal of Property, Plant and Equipment	2,500
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Write-off	$ 19,900
Asset under Construction [Member]
Area of Land (Square Foot) | ft²		136,750				136,750
Construction in Progress Not Yet Capitalized [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Write-off						$ 7,700
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Write-off						$ 4,000

Note 5 - Property and Equipme_4

Note 5 - Property and Equipment, Net - Property and Equipment, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property and equipment, gross	$ 37,245	$ 44,207
Less: accumulated depreciation	(12,362)	(6,564)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance	24,883	37,643
Operational Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 12,126	12,094
Operational Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and equipment, net, useful life (Year)	3 years
Operational Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and equipment, net, useful life (Year)	10 years
Laboratory Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, net, useful life (Year)	5 years
Property and equipment, gross	$ 524	525
Computer Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, net, useful life (Year)	3 years
Property and equipment, gross	$ 222	221
Office Furniture and Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, net, useful life (Year)	3 years
Property and equipment, gross	$ 221	221
Land [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,047	1,047
Building [Member]
Property and equipment, net, useful life (Year)	39 years
Property and equipment, gross	$ 19,508	19,508
Asset Retirement Cost [Member]
Property and equipment, net, useful life (Year)	20 years
Property and equipment, gross	$ 0	670
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 3,597	$ 9,921

Note 6 - Intellectual Propert_2

Note 6 - Intellectual Property (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Amortization of Intangible Assets, Total	$ 180	$ 182

Note 6 - Intellectual Propert_3

Note 6 - Intellectual Property - Intellectual Property, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Intellectual property	$ 1,794	$ 1,794
Accumulated amortization	(975)	(795)
Total estimated future amortization	$ 819	$ 999

Note 6 - Intellectual Propert_4

Note 6 - Intellectual Property - Estimated Future Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
2021	$ 179
2022	179
2023	179
2024	135
2025	70
Thereafter	77
Total estimated future amortization	$ 819	$ 999

Note 7 - Other Assets (Details

Note 7 - Other Assets (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Collateral Pledged [Member]
Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value	$ 1

Note 7 - Other Assets - Other A

Note 7 - Other Assets - Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Alameda and Nevada facilities Right of Use Assets (1)	[1]	$ 716	$ 1,197
CD for Green Bank collateral security (2)	[2]	0	1,034
Equipment deposits (3)	[3]	258	254
Facility Closure Trust deposit (4)	[4]	0	670
Other assets		104	154
Total other assets, non-current		$ 1,078	$ 3,309
[1]	See Footnote 12.
[2]	The $1.0 million certificate of deposit was held by Veritex Bank as collateral for the Veritex Bank note payable balance. The certificate of deposit account was closed and the balance of the account was utilized as part of the retirement of the Veritex Bank note on December 10, 2020.
[3]	Deposits for equipment to be acquired and utilized in the TRIC facility.
[4]	The Company entered into a Facility Closure Trust Agreement for the benefit of the Nevada Division of Conservation and Natural Resources (NDEP). The funds that were deposited in the Trust were to be available when and if needed for closure and/or post-closure care of the facility related to potential decontamination and hazardous material cleanup. Due to the change in the primary use of the Company's McCarran, Nevada facility, the Written Determination issued to the Company requiring the Facility Closure Trust deposit was terminated by the NDEP on December 9, 2020. As a result of this termination, the Trust account was closed and the Trustee reimbursed the Company the entire balance of the Trust account.

Note 8 - Accrued Liabilities -

Note 8 - Accrued Liabilities - Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property and equipment related	$ 715	$ 1,146
Payroll related	479	1,807
Use tax accrual	1	23
Professional services	0	879
Other	58	278
Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total	$ 1,253	$ 4,133

Note 9 - Asset Retirement Obl_2

Note 9 - Asset Retirement Obligation (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2017
Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent, Total	$ 0	$ 790,000	$ 700,000
Asset Retirement Obligation, Accretion Expense	$ 45,000	$ 46,000

Note 10 - Convertible Note (Det

Note 10 - Convertible Note (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Jan. 24, 2019	May 24, 2016	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Repayments of Convertible Debt			$ 0	$ 6,651,000
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs			$ 607,000	$ 56,000
Convertible Note Payable 11% [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		11.00%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Remaining Discount Amortization Period (Year)		3 years
Interstate Battery, Convertible Note, Due January 2019 [Member]
Repayments of Convertible Debt	$ 6,700,000
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	2,600,000
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs	$ 20,000

Note 11 - Notes Payable (Detail

Note 11 - Notes Payable (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Jan. 09, 2021	Dec. 10, 2020	May 07, 2020	Nov. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs					$ 607,000	$ 56,000
Paycheck Protection Program, CARES Act [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt			$ 332,000
Paycheck Protection Program, CARES Act [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument, Decrease, Forgiveness	$ 131,000
Green Bank [Member] | Loan Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 10,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term (Year)				21 years
Debt Instrument Term, Interest Only Payments (Month)				12 months
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				6.00%
Debt Instrument Covenant, Service Coverage Ratio, Minimum				1.25
Debt Instrument Covenant, Debt-to-Net Worth Ratio, Maximum				1
Debt Instrument Covenant, Current Ratio, Minimum				1.5
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount				$ 1,000,000
Guarantor Obligations, Liquidation Proceeds, Percentage				90.00%
Guarantee, Fee				$ 270,000
Annual Fee, Guarantee, Percentage				0.50%
Debt Issuance Costs, Net, Total					800,000
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs					$ 36,000	$ 36,000
Green Bank [Member] | Loan Agreement [Member] | Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				2.00%
Veritex [Member] | Loan Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount		$ 1,000,000
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs		600,000
Debt Instrument, Insurance Proceeds Allocated to Payment of Debt		7,900,000
Interest Expense, Debt, Total		$ 400,000

Note 11 - Notes Payable - Sched

Note 11 - Notes Payable - Schedule of Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes payable, current portion	$ 29	$ 296
Notes payable, non-current portion	303	8,404
Paycheck Protection Program, CARES Act [Member]
Notes payable, current portion	29	0
Notes payable, non-current portion	303	0
Loan Agreement [Member] | Veritex [Member]
Notes payable, current portion	0	296
Notes payable, non-current portion	$ 0	$ 8,404

Note 11 - Notes Payable - Futur

Note 11 - Notes Payable - Future Principal Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
2021	$ 29
2022	88
2023	88
2024	89
2025	38
Total loan payments	$ 332

Note 12 - Leases (Details Textu

Note 12 - Leases (Details Textual)		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Lessee, Finance Lease, Number of Leases		1
Lessee, Operating Lease, Number of Leases		2
Sublease Income		$ 433,000	$ 359,000
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	[1]	716,000	1,197,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Current		6,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent		20,000
Lease Liability, Current and Noncurrent Portion [Member]
Operating Lease, Liability, Total		$ 836,000	$ 1,400,000
Maximum [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract (Month)		76 months
Minimum [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract (Month)		42 months
[1]	See Footnote 12.

Note 12 - Leases - Right-of-Use

Note 12 - Leases - Right-of-Use Assets and Related Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities	$ 642	$ 624
Operating lease cost	$ 577	$ 577
Weighted-average remaining lease term (Years) (Year)	1 year 2 months 12 days
Weighted-average discount rate	9.66%

Note 12 - Leases - Maturities o

Note 12 - Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
2021	$ 661
2022	227
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Total	888
Less imputed interest	(52)
Lease Liability, Current and Noncurrent Portion [Member]
Total lease liabilities	836	$ 1,400
Operating Lease, Liability, Total	836	$ 1,400
Lease Liability, Current Portion [Member]
Current operating lease liabilities	614
Lease Liability, Noncurrent Portion [Member]
Non-current operating lease liabilities	$ 222

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equit_2

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity (Details Textual)

May 14, 2019USD ($)$ / sharesshares

Feb. 26, 2019$ / sharesshares

Jan. 22, 2019USD ($)$ / sharesshares

Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)$ / sharesshares

Aug. 31, 2020USD ($)shares

May 31, 2020USD ($)shares

Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)shares

Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)shares

Aug. 31, 2019USD ($)shares

Jul. 31, 2019USD ($)$ / sharesshares

May 31, 2019$ / sharesshares

Mar. 31, 2019$ / sharesshares

Feb. 28, 2019$ / sharesshares

Jan. 31, 2019USD ($)$ / sharesshares

Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)$ / sharesshares

Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)$ / sharesshares

Dec. 31, 2017shares

Common Stock, Shares Authorized (in shares)

100,000,000

100,000,000

100,000,000

Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 0.001

$ 0.001

$ 0.001

Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

1.90

$ 1.90

Stock Issued During Period, Value, Issued for Services | $

$ 64,000

$ 4,927,000

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | $

$ 3,676,000

$ 29,380,000

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures, Total (in shares)

691,820

533,655

Class of Warrant or Right, Weighted Average Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 1.90

$ 1.90

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

0

2,197,074

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount, Total | $

$ 3,300,000

$ 3,300,000

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition (Year)

2 years 4 months 24 days

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

150,000

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

50,000

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 1.65

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

3 years

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 1.87

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

3 years

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

3 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period, Number of Installments

6

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)

1,714,252

367,500

263,660

8,056,280

1,271,222

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Fair Value | $

$ 1,971,000

$ 380,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding | $

14,400,000

$ 14,400,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested | $

2,100,000

Restricted Stock [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding | $

$ 2,500,000

$ 2,500,000

Officers and Directors Purchase Plan [Member]

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares)

5,453

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | $

$ 5,750

The 2014 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in shares)

2,113,637

The 2014 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

10 years

The 2019 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in shares)

11,500,000

11,500,000

The 2019 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

3 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period, Number of Installments

6

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Fair Value | $

$ 670,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Issued in Period (in shares)

1,970,475

The 2019 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

10 years

Board Members [Member]

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures, Total (in shares)

356,492

202,905

Board Members [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)

60,560

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Fair Value | $

$ 97,500

Prior Company Executive [Member]

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares)

347,892

161,362

Employee [Member]

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares)

1,776,680

Employee [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

3 years

12 months

3 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period, Number of Installments

3

3

3

6

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)

17,500

134,419

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Fair Value | $

$ 16,000

$ 231,000

$ 490,000

Employee [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

3 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period, Number of Installments

3

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)

830,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Fair Value | $

$ 280,000

Consultant [Member]

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Issued for Services (in shares)

67,522

Chief Executive Officer [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

1,260,000

232,461

Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

420,000

Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

420,000

Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

420,000

Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 1.88

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

3 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period, Number of Installments

3

Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 3.08

Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 3.68

Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 4.18

Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)

59,414

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Fair Value | $

$ 109,000

Chief Financial Officer [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

250,000

56,698

Chief Financial Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

125,000

Chief Financial Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

62,500

Chief Financial Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

62,500

Chief Financial Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 1.88

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

3 years

Chief Financial Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 3.79

Chief Financial Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 4.39

Chief Financial Officer [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 4.89

Director [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in shares)

172,915

Director [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)

5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 2.48

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

12 years

Company Employees [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

3 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period, Number of Installments

6

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)

1,293,164

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Fair Value | $

$ 440,000

January 2019 Public Offering [Member]

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares)

5,175,000

Shares Issued, Price Per Share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 1.90

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | $

$ 9,800,000

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock, Net | $

$ 9,100,000

May 2019 Public Offering [Member]

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares)

11,000,000

Shares Issued, Price Per Share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 2

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | $

$ 22,000,000

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock, Net | $

$ 20,300,000

ATM [Member]

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares)

3,217,426

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | $

$ 3,700,000

Veolia Warrants 1 [Member]

Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights (in shares)

2,000,000

2,000,000

2,000,000

Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 5

$ 5

$ 5

Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Term (Year)

10 years

10 years

Veolia Warrants 2 [Member]

Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights (in shares)

2,000,000

2,000,000

2,000,000

Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 7

$ 7

$ 7

Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Term (Year)

10 years

10 years

Veolia Warrants [Member]

Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Term (Year)

10 years

January 2019 Underwriter Warrants [Member]

Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights (in shares)

103,500

103,500

103,500

Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 1.90

$ 1.90

$ 1.90

Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Term (Year)

5 years

5 years

Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights, Percent

2.00%

Veolia [Member]

Total Consideration for Service Agreement, Equity Shares (in shares)

2,350,000

Total Consideration for Service Agreement, Number of Installments

8

Stock Issued for Services, Quarterly Installments, Shares (in shares)

293,750

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Issued for Services (in shares)

1,184,985

Stock Issued During Period, Value, Issued for Services | $

$ 3,600,000

Clarios [Member]

Stock Issued During Period, Value, Issued for Services | $

$ 1,300,000

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares)

807,436

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equit_3

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity - Warrant Assumptions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 26, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019
Exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 1.90
Veolia Warrants 1 [Member]
Warrant shares issued (in shares)	2,000,000	2,000,000
Market price (in dollars per share)	$ 3.02
Exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 5	$ 5
Term (years) (Year)	10 years
Risk free interest rate	2.64%
Expected stock volatility	81.50%
Dividend yield	0.00%
Per share FV of warrant (in dollars per share)	$ 2.35
FV of warrant	$ 4,699
Veolia Warrants 2 [Member]
Warrant shares issued (in shares)	2,000,000	2,000,000
Market price (in dollars per share)	$ 3.02
Exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 7	$ 7
Term (years) (Year)	10 years
Risk free interest rate	2.64%
Expected stock volatility	81.50%
Dividend yield	0.00%
Per share FV of warrant (in dollars per share)	$ 2.24
FV of warrant	$ 4,474
January 2019 Underwriter Warrants [Member]
Warrant shares issued (in shares)	103,500		103,500
Market price (in dollars per share)	$ 2.16
Exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 1.90		$ 1.90
Term (years) (Year)	5 years
Risk free interest rate	2.57%
Expected stock volatility	81.00%
Dividend yield	0.00%
Per share FV of warrant (in dollars per share)	$ 1.47
FV of warrant	$ 152

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equit_4

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity - Warrants Outstanding (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020$ / sharesshares
Exercise price per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.90
Shares subject to purchase (in shares) | shares	103,500

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equit_5

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 3,569	$ 4,206
Cost of Sales [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	90	357
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	183	200
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 3,296	$ 3,649

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equit_6

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity - Options Valuation Assumptions (Details) - Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Dividend yield	0.00%
Minimum [Member]
Expected stock volatility	82.20%
Risk free interest rate	1.70%
Expected years until exercise (Year)	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Expected stock volatility	87.50%
Risk free interest rate	2.60%
Expected years until exercise (Year)	4 years

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equit_7

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity - Stock-based Compensation Plan Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2020	Jan. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020
Options, Outstanding (in shares)			1,694,068	3,463,692	1,694,068
Forfeited (in shares)				2,253,925	564,873
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 3.89			$ 3.89	$ 3.71
Outstanding, Intrinsic Value						$ 434
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)			$ 4.57	$ 3.71	$ 4.57
Options, Forfeited (in shares)				(2,076,019)	(427,450)
Vested and exercisable (in shares)						1,068,284
Granted (in shares)				(8,056,280)	(3,468,296)
Options, Exercised/ Released (in shares)				0	0
Options, Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)				$ 3.59	$ 4.46
Outstanding (in shares)	1,387,673		1,694,068	1,387,673	3,463,692	1,387,673
Vested and exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)						$ 3.80
Authorized (in shares)				7,000,000	4,500,000
Options, Granted (in shares)				0	2,197,074
Options, Exercised/ Released, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)				$ 0	$ 0
Number of shares available for grant (in shares)	3,398,870			3,398,870	2,402,326
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 3.89		$ 4.57	$ 3.89	$ 3.71	$ 3.89
Vested and exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Year)				1 year 10 months 6 days
Number of shares available for grant (in shares)			805,749	2,402,326	805,749
Options, Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)				$ 0	$ 3.19
Issued to fulfill obligations for separation agreements (in shares)				(201,101)
Options, Outstanding (in shares)	1,387,673			1,387,673	3,463,692
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Year)				1 year 11 months 23 days
Vested and exercisable, Intrinsic Value						$ 400
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
RSUs, Granted (in shares)	1,714,252	367,500	263,660	8,056,280	1,271,222
RSUs, Exercised/ Released, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)				$ 0.72	$ 1.63
RSUs, Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)				$ 0.64	$ 1.52
RSUs, Outstanding (in shares)	5,624,166			5,624,166	259,792
RSUs, Outstanding (in shares)			96,623	259,792	96,623
RSUs, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.66			$ 0.66	$ 1.83
RSUs, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)			$ 4.01	$ 1.83	$ 4.01
RSUs, Forfeited (in shares)				(177,906)	(137,423)
RSUs, Exercised/ Released (in shares)				(2,514,000)	(970,630)
RSUs, Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)				$ 0.50	$ 1.85

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equit_8

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity - Stock Options Outstanding (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020$ / sharesshares
Options outstanding (in shares)	1,387,673
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	1 year 11 months 23 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	1,068,284
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	1 year 10 months 6 days
Exercise Price 1 [Member]
Lower limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.60
Upper limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.50
Options outstanding (in shares)	414,159
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	1 year 2 months 19 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	375,270
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	1 year 18 days
Exercise Price 2 [Member]
Lower limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.51
Upper limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 3.14
Options outstanding (in shares)	422,833
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	2 years 4 months 2 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	282,333
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	2 years 4 months 2 days
Exercise Price 3 [Member]
Lower limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 3.15
Upper limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 3.86
Options outstanding (in shares)	17,482
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	4 years 3 months 29 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	17,482
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	4 years 3 months 29 days
Exercise Price 4 [Member]
Lower limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 3.87
Upper limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 4.64
Options outstanding (in shares)	69,485
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	2 years 4 months 2 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	69,485
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	2 years 4 months 2 days
Exercise Price 5 [Member]
Lower limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 4.65
Upper limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 16.54
Options outstanding (in shares)	463,714
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	2 years 2 months 8 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	323,714
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	2 years 1 month 13 days

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equit_9

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity - Reserved Shares (Details) - shares	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Subject to outstanding options and restricted shares (in shares)	7,011,839
Available for future grants (in shares)	3,398,870	2,402,326	805,749
Officer and Director Purchase Plan (in shares)	237,382
Shares subject to purchase (in shares)	103,500
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	10,751,591

Note 14 - Commitments and Con_3

Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)	Feb. 04, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 03, 2018USD ($)	Apr. 19, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Feb. 20, 2019USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2018a	Jun. 24, 2018USD ($)	Feb. 07, 2017USD ($)	Aug. 07, 2015a
Land Subject to Ground Leases (Acre) | a								14,016			21,697
Payments for Rent	$ 1,500,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net, Total					$ 600,000	$ 600,000
One-time Fee Payable							$ 500,000		$ 500,000
Stephen Clark [Member]
Severance Costs			$ 900,000
Severance Costs, Period of Consideration (Year)			2 years
Stock or Unit Option Plan Expense			$ 15,000
Stephen Clark [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Stock Options, Exercise Period (Day)			90 days
Stephen Clark [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Stock Options, Exercise Period (Day)			2 years
Selwyn Mould [Member]
Severance Costs		$ 900,000
Severance Costs, Period of Consideration (Year)		2 years
Stock Options, Exercise Period (Day)		2 years
Cash Severance Payment		$ 100,000
Cash Severance Payment, Number of Installments		6
Severance Payment, Restricted Stock Units, Period Of Award (Month)		21 months
Severance Payment, Restricted Stock Units, Monthly Value of Common Share Conversion		$ 33,333
Severance Payment, Restricted Stock Units, Weighted Average Stock Price, Trading Days (Day)		20 days
Severance Payment, Restricted Stock Units, Cash Payment in Lieu of Common Shares		$ 33,333
Interstate Battery [Member] | Interstate Battery Agreement [Member]
Other Commitment, Total									$ 2,000,000
Clarios [Member] | Clarios Agreement [Member]
Other Commitment, Total										$ 1,000,000
Payments for Key-man Penalties				$ 2,000,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Key-man Pentaly (in shares) | shares				807,436

Note 14 - Commitments and Con_4

Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
2021	$ 661
2022	227
Total minimum lease payments	$ 888

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount	$ 4
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	0.2
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total	118.2
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	0.2
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | California Franchise Tax Board [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total	4.3
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	$ 0.5

Note 16 - Income Taxes - Loss B

Note 16 - Income Taxes - Loss Before Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
US	$ (25,760)	$ (44,793)
Foreign	0	0
Total	$ (25,760)	$ (44,793)

Note 16 - Income Taxes - Provis

Note 16 - Income Taxes - Provision for Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current
Federal									$ 0	$ 0
State									2	2
Deferred
Federal									0	0
State									0	0
Total provision for income taxes	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2	$ 2	$ 2

Note 16 - Income Taxes - Reconc

Note 16 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Income Tax Rates (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Tax at federal statutory rate	21.00%	21.00%
State tax, net of federal benefit	0.05%	0.06%
Change in rate	0.00%	(0.07%)
Valuation allowance	(15.54%)	(19.11%)
Impairment charge of acquired IP	0.00%	(0.24%)
Excess benefits from equity compensation	(5.66%)	0.00%
Other	0.14%	(1.64%)
Provision for taxes	(0.01%)	0.00%

Note 16 - Income Taxes - Deferr

Note 16 - Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred tax assets
Capitalized start-up costs	$ 3,461	$ 3,767
Credits	402	364
Fixed assets	2,160	0
Net operating losses	25,116	20,049
Others	553	2,744
Total gross deferred tax assets	31,692	26,924
Valuation allowance	(30,717)	(26,713)
Total gross deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	975	211
Deferred tax liabilities
Patents	(156)	(192)
Fixed assets	0	(19)
Beneficial conversion feature - debt discount	(819)	0
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(975)	(211)
Net deferred tax assets	$ 0	$ 0

Note 17 - 401(k) Savings Plan (

Note 17 - 401(k) Savings Plan (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount	$ 0

Note 18 - Supplemental Financ_3

Note 18 - Supplemental Financial Information - Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Product sales	$ 0	$ 90	$ 0	$ 18	$ 593	$ 2,361	$ 1,483	$ 437	$ 108	$ 4,874
Cost of product sales	1,081	1,635	1,306	1,454	4,702	8,231	7,185	4,681	5,476	24,799
Research and development cost	358	210	217	242	315	282	338	620	1,027	1,555
General and administrative expense	2,712	1,656	2,245	2,385	5,856	5,107	4,335	4,016	8,998	19,314
Total operating expenses	4,151	3,501	3,768	4,081	10,873	13,620	11,858	9,317	15,501	45,668
Loss from operations	(4,151)	(3,411)	(3,768)	(4,063)	(10,280)	(11,259)	(10,375)	(8,880)	(15,393)	(40,794)
Insurance proceeds net of related expenses	1,479	1,722	(52)	(203)	(792)	0	0	0	2,946	(792)
Impairment expense	(11,741)	0	0	0					(11,741)	0
Interest expense	(1,107)	(166)	(164)	(183)	(243)	(142)	(203)	(2,889)	(1,620)	(3,477)
Interest and other income	5	18	3	22	45	85	77	63	48	270
Total other expense, net	(11,364)	1,574	(213)	(364)	(990)	(57)	(126)	(2,826)	(10,367)	(3,999)
Loss before income tax expense	(15,515)	(1,837)	(3,981)	(4,427)	(11,270)	(11,316)	(10,501)	(11,706)	(25,760)	(44,793)
Income tax expense	0	0	(2)	0	0	0	0	(2)	(2)	(2)
Net loss	$ (15,515)	$ (1,837)	$ (3,983)	$ (4,427)	$ (11,270)	$ (11,316)	$ (10,501)	$ (11,708)	$ (25,762)	$ (44,795)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted (in shares)	62,136,421	60,998,971	60,136,374	59,582,603	57,523,283	57,053,982	50,757,448	43,514,225	60,861,450	52,263,885
Basic and diluted net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.42)	$ (0.86)

Note 19 - Subsequent Events (De

Note 19 - Subsequent Events (Details Textual)	Feb. 15, 2021USD ($)ft²$ / sharesshares	Jan. 09, 2021USD ($)	Feb. 25, 2021USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Nov. 29, 2019ft²
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock				$ 3,676,000	$ 29,380,000
Area of Land Damaged by Fire (Square Foot) | ft²						30,000
ATM [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares) | shares				3,217,426
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock				$ 3,700,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | LiNiCo [Member]
Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Initial Sale of Stock (in shares) | shares	281,250
Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Approximate Proceeds from Initial Sale of Stock	$ 1,500,000
Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Number of Shares to be Held Contingent on Proceeds from Initial Sale (in shares) | shares	93,750
Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Approximate Proceeds from Aggregate Sale of Stock	$ 2,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | LiNiCo [Member]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	8.00%
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | LiNiCo [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Equity Method Invesment (in shares) | shares	375,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | LiNiCo [Member] | Series A Warrant [Member]
Investment Warrant, Term (Year)	3 years
Investment Warrant, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights (in shares) | shares	500
Investment Warrant, Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | LiNiCo [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Shares Received in Exchange of Common Stock Issued (in shares) | shares	1,500
Value of Shares Received in Exchange of Common Stock Issued	$ 1,500,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Recycling Facility at TRIC [Member]
Area of Real Estate Property (Square Foot) | ft²	136,750
Lessor, Operating Lease, Lessee's First Option to Purchase	$ 14,250,000
Lessor, Operating Lease, Lessee's Second Option to Purchase	15,250,000
First Nonrefundable Deposit Subject to Purchase Option	1,250,000
Second Nonrefundable Deposit Subject to Purchase Option	2,000,000
Lessor, Operating Lease, Monthly Payments to be Received	68,000
Lessor, Operating Lease, Monthly Payments to be Received in Last Six Months of Lease Term	$ 100,640
Subsequent Event [Member] | LiNiCo [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	11.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | LiNiCo [Member] | Comstock Mining Inc. [Member]
Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | ATM [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares) | shares			1,827,635
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock			$ 7,000,000
Paycheck Protection Program, CARES Act [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument, Decrease, Forgiveness		$ 131,000