Aqua Metals (AQMS) 10-K 9 Mar 23 2022 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Feb. 17, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
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	2022
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2022
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	5370 Kietzke Lane, Suite 201.
Entity Address, City or Town	Reno
Entity Address, State or Province	NV
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	89511
City Area Code	775
Local Phone Number	446-4418
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
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 59,250,404
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		81,341,241
Auditor Firm ID	32
Auditor Name	ArmaninoLLP
Auditor Location	San Ramon, California

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 7,082	$ 8,137
Accounts receivable	12	269
Lease receivable, current portion	15,527	920
Inventory	278	123
Assets held for sale	47	2,633
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	263	356
Total current assets	23,209	12,438
Non-current assets
Property and equipment, net	7,343	2,367
Intellectual property, net	461	640
Investment in LINICO	2,000	1,500
Lease receivable, non-current portion	0	15,528
Other assets	489	796
Total non-current assets	10,293	20,831
Total assets	33,502	33,269
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	1,075	685
Accrued liabilities	1,780	3,005
Building purchase deposit, current portion	3,250	0
Lease liability, current portion	307	388
Note payable	5,899	0
Total current liabilities	12,311	4,078
Building purchase deposit, non-current portion	0	1,328
Lease liability, non-current portion	275	330
Total liabilities	12,586	5,736
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 15)
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 79,481,751 and 70,416,552 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively	79	70
Additional paid-in capital	220,114	211,309
Accumulated deficit	(199,277)	(183,846)
Total stockholders’ equity	20,916	27,533
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 33,502	$ 33,269

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	79,481,751	70,416,552
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	79,481,751	70,416,552

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Product sales	$ 4	$ 173
Operating cost and expense
Plant operations and clean up	3,959	7,017
Research and development cost	1,813	933
General and administrative expense	9,815	9,688
Total operating expense	15,587	17,638
Loss from operations	(15,583)	(17,465)
Other income and expense
Insurance proceeds net of related expenses	0	4,794
Impairment expense	(579)	(545)
PPP loan forgiveness	0	332
Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment	596	(5,665)
Interest expense	(125)	(21)
Interest and other income	262	379
Total other income (expense), net	154	(726)
Loss before income tax expense	(15,429)	(18,191)
Income tax expense	(2)	(2)
Net loss	$ (15,431)	$ (18,193)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted (in shares)	75,811,034	70,002,180
Basic and diluted net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.26)

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	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, 2020					64,461,065
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020					$ 64	$ 196,728	$ (165,653)	$ 31,139
Stock-based compensation					$ 0	2,199	0	2,199
Common stock issued upon RSU vesting (in shares)					2,114,396
Common stock issued upon RSU vesting					$ 2	0	0	$ 2
Common stock issued upon exercise of employee stock options (in shares)					347,901			347,901
Common stock issued upon exercise of employee stock options					$ 0	727	0	$ 727
Common stock issued upon warrant exercise (in shares)					65,590
Common stock issued upon warrant exercise					$ 0	0	0	0
Common stock issued for consulting services (in shares)					57,170
Common stock issued for consulting services					$ 0	225	0	225
Common Stock, Issued (in shares)	2,995,430
Common stock, Issued	$ 3	$ 10,163	$ 0	$ 10,166
Common stock issued related to LINICO investment (in shares)					375,000
Common stock issued related to LINICO investment					$ 1	1,267	0	1,268
Net loss					$ 0	0	(18,193)	(18,193)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021					70,416,552
Balance at Dec. 31, 2021					$ 70	211,309	(183,846)	27,533
Stock-based compensation					$ 0	2,253	0	2,253
Common stock issued upon RSU vesting (in shares)					2,275,731
Common stock issued upon RSU vesting					$ 2	0	0	$ 2
Common stock issued upon exercise of employee stock options (in shares)								0
Common stock issued for consulting services (in shares)					19,176
Common stock issued for consulting services					$ 0	19	0	$ 19
Common Stock, Issued (in shares)	6,742,069				28,223
Common stock, Issued	$ 7	$ 6,512	$ 0	$ 6,519	$ 0	21	0	21
Net loss					$ 0	0	(15,431)	(15,431)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022					79,481,751
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022					$ 79	$ 220,114	$ (199,277)	$ 20,916

Consolidated Statements of St_2

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
ATM [Member]
Common stock issued, transaction costs	$ 250	$ 339

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (15,431)	$ (18,193)
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Depreciation	882	1,140
Amortization of intellectual property	179	180
Fair value of common stock issued for consulting services	19	225
Stock-based compensation	2,255	2,201
Fair value of common stock issued for director fees	21	0
Amortization of deferred financing costs	13	0
Inventory NRV adjustment	0	146
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment	(596)	5,665
Forgiveness of PPP loan	0	(332)
Impairment of equipment	579	545
Lease of building	920	553
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable	120	(237)
Inventory	(155)	822
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	93	345
Accounts payable	22	8
Accrued liabilities	1,428	378
Other assets and liabilities	(497)	(508)
Net cash used in operating activities	(10,148)	(7,062)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(4,771)	(2,350)
Proceeds from sale of equipment	1,760	275
Equipment deposits and other assets	91	79
Investment in LINICO	(500)	(232)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,420)	(2,228)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from note payable	5,886	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	728
Proceeds from ATM, net	6,519	10,166
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	108	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	12,513	10,894
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,055)	1,604
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	8,137	6,533
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	7,082	8,137
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	21	84
Cash paid for income taxes	2	2
Non-cash financing activities
Fair value of common stock issued to consultants	91	19
Change in property and equipment resulting from change in accounts payable	875	(368)
Change in property and equipment resulting from change in accrued expenses	0	(55)
Change in investing activity resulting from issuance of equity	$ (1,268)	$ 0

Note 1 - Organization and Opera

Note 1 - Organization and Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	1. Organization and Operations Aqua Metals is engaged in the business of applying its commercialized clean, water-based recycling technology principles to develop the clean and cost-efficient recycling solutions for both lead and lithium-ion (“Li”) batteries. Our recycling process is a patented hydro- and electrometallurgical technology that is a novel, proprietary and patented process we developed and named AquaRefining. AquaRefining is a low-emissions, closed-loop recycling technology that replaces polluting furnaces and hazardous chemicals with electricity-powered electroplating to recover valuable metals and materials from spent batteries with higher purity, lower emissions, and with minimal waste. The modular “Aqualyzers” cleanly generate ultra-pure metal one We are in the process of demonstrating that Li AquaRefining, which is fundamentally non-polluting, can create the highest quality and highest yields of recovered minerals from lithium-ion batteries with lower waste streams and lower costs than existing alternatives. We have already demonstrated at our pilot facility our ability to recover key valuable minerals in lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium hydroxide, copper, nickel, cobalt, and other compounds in 2022. first 2022, 2023. Our focus for the lead market is providing equipment and licensing of our lead acid battery recycling technologies in an enabler model which allows us to work with anyone in the industry globally and address the entire marketplace. Our focus for the lithium market includes operating our first Liquidity and Management Plans The Company generated revenues of $4 thousand and $0.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 twelve

Note 2 - Summary of Significant

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
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 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, 2022 no not December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Inventory Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is recorded on a first first not Property and equipment, net 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. 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, 2022 2021, December 31, 2022 2021, Intellectual property, net Intellectual property consists of patent applications contributed to the Company by five ten may not December 31, 2022 2021 Investment in LINICO Investments, which may not Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating lease right-of-use assets (“ROU assets”) and short-term and long-term lease liabilities are included in the consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating and finance lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not may 12 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, December 31, 2021, not 2019 Research and development Research and development expenditures are expensed as incurred. Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and 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, and accrued expenses 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 assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Stock-based compensation The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 three 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, 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, stock options and warrants were not Year Ended December 31, Excluded potentially dilutive securities (1): 2022 2021 Options to purchase common stock 994,267 1,026,712 Unvested restricted stock 6,387,937 5,246,875 Financing warrants to purchase common stock 6,372 6,372 Total potential dilutive securities 7,388,576 6,279,959 ( 1 not Segment and geographic information Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is the Chief Executive Officer. 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 CODM in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The CODM views its operations and manages its business in one one Concentration of credit risk The Company generated revenue of $4,000 and $173,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022 2021 December 31, 2022 2021 not December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Plant operations and clean up During the fourth 2022, no Recent accounting pronouncements There were no December 31, 2022

Note 3 - Revenue Recognition

Note 3 - Revenue Recognition	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
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. The Company was not 2022 2021. December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021

Note 4 - Lease Receivable

Note 4 - Lease Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Lessor, Sales-type Leases [Text Block]	4. Lease receivable The Company has entered into an Industrial Lease Agreement with LINICO Corporation, a Nevada corporation, or ("LINICO"), dated February 15, 2021 April 1, 2021 March 31, 2023. October 2021, second October 2022, six With respect to the portion of the facility that was damaged in the November 2019 2022. first 2022, The Company accounted for the Industrial Lease and Option to Purchase Agreement as a sales-type lease. As a component of the accounting for the agreement, the Company recognized at the inception the estimated fair market value of the land and plant of $17.0 million as a lease receivable, which is reflected on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The implied interest rate of 0.5% was utilized for the amortization of the scheduled building lease/purchase payments outlined in the agreement. The Company applies the monthly payments received as a reduction to lease receivable and interest income. The interest income recognized from the agreement is included in "Interest and other income" on the Company's consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2022

Note 5 - Inventory

Note 5 - Inventory	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	5. Inventory, net Inventory consisted of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2022 2021 Finished goods $ 28 $ 28 Work in process — 9 Raw materials 250 86 $ 278 $ 123

Note 6 - Assets Held for Sale

Note 6 - Assets Held for Sale	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	6. Assets held for sale Assets are classified as held for sale when, among other factors, they are identified and marketed for sale in their present condition, management is committed to their disposal, and the sale of the asset is probable within one no December 31, 2022 2021, At December 31, 2022 2021, December 31, 2022 2021

Note 7 - Property and Equipment

Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	7. Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following (in thousands): December 31, Asset Class Useful Life (Years) 2022 2021 Operational equipment 3 - 10 $ 1,445 $ 1,539 Lab equipment 5 730 530 Computer equipment 3 6 8 Office furniture and equipment 3 90 91 Leasehold improvements 2.5 80 — Equipment under construction 6,486 1,328 8,837 3,496 Less: accumulated depreciation (1,494 ) (1,129 ) $ 7,343 $ 2,367 Property and equipment depreciation expense was $0.5 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021

Note 8 - Intellectual Property

Note 8 - Intellectual Property	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	8. Intellectual property, net Intellectual property, net, is comprised of the following (in thousands): 2022 2021 Intellectual property $ 1,794 $ 1,794 Accumulated amortization (1,333 ) (1,154 ) Intellectual property, net $ 461 $ 640 Aggregate amortization expense for both of the years ended December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Estimated future amortization is as follows as of December 31, 2022 2023 $ 179 2024 135 2025 70 2026 51 2027 26 Thereafter — Total estimated future amortization $ 461

Note 9 - Investments

Note 9 - Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Investment [Text Block]	9. Investments On February 15, 2021, three 500 $1,000 first 2022, The Company accounted for the LINICO investment under ASC 321, 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. As LINICO’s sale of the 375,000 of Aqua Shares resulted in net proceeds to LINICO that were less than $1,500,000, the Company was required to pay LINICO the difference of $232,000 in cash. 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 88% 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.

Note 10 - Other Assets

Note 10 - Other Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	10. Other assets Other assets consist of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2022 2021 Nevada and Alameda facilities Right of Use Assets (1) $ 463 $ 514 Equipment deposits (2) 6 217 Other assets 20 65 Total other assets, non-current $ 489 $ 796 ( 1 12. ( 2

Note 11 - Accrued Liabilities

Note 11 - Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]	11. Accrued liabilities Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2022 2021 Property and equipment related $ 770 $ 2,242 Class action settlement 500 500 Payroll related 418 180 Professional services 51 56 Other 41 27 $ 1,780 $ 3,005

Note 12 - Leases

Note 12 - Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Lessee, Operating and Finance Leases [Text Block]	12. Leases As of December 31, 2022 two one December 31, 2022 2021 December 31, 2022 2021 twelve December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 first 2022. Based on the present value of the lease payments for the remaining lease term of the Company's existing operating leases, as of December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 The Company currently maintains two November 2021, October 2024. second September 2023. 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, 2022 December 31, 2021 Cash paid for operating lease liabilities $ 344 $ 694 Operating lease cost $ 338 $ 621 Cash paid for finance lease liabilities $ 61 $ 26 Interest expense $ 9 $ 3 December 31, 2022 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) - operating leases 1.9 Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 6.16 % Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) - finance leases 1.3 Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases 7.50 % Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2022 Due in 12 December 31, Operating Leases Finance Leases 2023 $ 266 $ 68 2024 $ 238 $ 45 2025 $ — $ — $ 504 $ 113 Less imputed interest $ (28 ) $ (7 ) Total lease liabilities $ 476 $ 106 Current lease liabilities $ 245 $ 62 Non-current lease liabilities $ 231 $ 44 $ 476 $ 106

Note 13 - Notes Payable

Note 13 - Notes Payable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	13. Note payable On September 30, 2022, 1 April 25, 2022, 2006 March 31, 2006 .8333% first twenty-four September 29, 2024. 6 first March 31, 2023 4 Note payable is comprised of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2022 2021 Note payable, current portion The Lenders, net of issuance costs $ 5,899 $ — Total note payable, current portion $ 5,899 $ —

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equity

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	14. Stockholders’ equity Authorized capital The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 200,000,000 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 Other shares issued During the year ended December 31, 2021 During the year ended December 31, 2021 five During the year ended December 31, 2021 five During the year ended December 31, 2021 During the year ended December 31, 2021 During the year ended December 31, 2021 February 15, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2021 During the year ended December 31, 2021 During the year ended December 31, 2022 During the year ended December 31, 2022 During the year ended December 31, 2022 During the year ended December 31, 2022 During the year ended December 31, 2022 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, 2022 $ 1.90 1/22/2024 6,372 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, 2022 2021 Cost of product sales $ 104 $ 73 Research and development cost 36 77 General and administrative expense 2,115 2,051 Total $ 2,255 $ 2,201 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, 2022 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, 2020 3,398,870 1,387,673 $ 3.89 5,624,166 $ 0.66 Granted (1,803,172 ) — — 1,803,172 1.63 Exercised/ Released — (347,901 ) 2.09 (2,121,220 ) 0.91 Forfeited 72,303 (13,060 ) 8.71 (59,243 ) 0.83 Balance at December 31, 2021 1,668,001 1,026,712 $ 4.44 5,246,875 $ 1.07 Authorized 7,000,000 — — — — Granted (3,691,202 ) — — 3,691,202 0.69 Exercised/ Released — — — (2,297,130 ) 0.90 Forfeited 285,455 (32,445 ) 5.78 (253,010 ) 1.16 Balance at December 31, 2022 5,262,254 994,267 $ 4.40 6,387,937 $ 0.91 There were no option exercises during the year ended December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Additional information related to the status of options at December 31, 2022 Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Exercise Remaining Aggregate Price Per Contractual Intrinsic Value Shares Share Life (Years) (in thousands) Outstanding 994,267 $ 4.40 0.40 $ — Vested and exercisable 994,267 $ 4.40 0.40 $ — The intrinsic value of options is the fair value of the Company’s stock at December 31, 2022 2021 As of December 31, 2022 The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2022 Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Remaining Remaining Contractual Contractual Number of Life Number of Life Range of Exercise Prices Per Share Shares (Years) Shares (Years) $1.60 - $2.79 106,361 0.86 106,361 0.86 $2.80 - $4.50 450,882 0.33 450,882 0.33 $4.51 - $7.50 420,000 0.33 420,000 0.33 $7.51 - $12.55 8,690 0.45 8,690 0.45 $12.56 - $24.81 8,334 0.84 8,334 0.84 994,267 0.40 994,267 0.40 2021 In February 2021, three 1 2 3 In May 2021, twelve one In September 2021, six three In October 2021, six three In December 2021, six three Total intrinsic value of RSUs vested and released during 2021 was $6.9 million. Intrinsic value of RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2021 2022 In January 2022, three three In February 2022, three three In April 2022, three three In May 2022, four twelve In June 2022, three three In July 2022, three three In August 2022, three three In October 2022, In December 2022, three three In December 2022, six three Total intrinsic value of RSUs vested and released during 2022 was $2.4 million. Intrinsic value of RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2022 was $8 million. Reserved shares At December 31, 2022 , the Company has reserved shares of common stock for future issuance as follows: Number of Shares Equity Plan Subject to outstanding options and restricted shares 7,382,204 Available for future grants 5,262,254 Officer and Director Purchase Plan 237,382 Warrants 6,372 12,888,212

Note 15 - Commitments and Conti

Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	15. Commitments and contingencies Lease commitments In July 2018, December 31, 2021 December 31, 2024. In September 2021, September 30, 2024. We currently maintain two finance leases for equipment. In November 2021, October 2024. second The future minimum payments related to these operating and finance leases are as follows as of December 31, 2022 Operating Leases Finance Leases 2023 $ 266 $ 68 2024 $ 238 $ 45 2025 $ — $ — Total minimum lease payments $ 504 $ 113 Legal proceedings See Item 3.

Note 16 - Related Party Transac

Note 16 - Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	16. Related party transactions The Company has adopted a policy that any transactions with directors, officers, beneficial owners of five

Note 17 - Income Taxes

Note 17 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	17. Income taxes Loss before income tax expense consists of the following (in thousands): Year ended December 31, 2022 2021 US $ (15,429 ) $ (18,191 ) Foreign — — Total $ (15,429 ) $ (18,191 ) The components of the provision for income tax expense consist of the following (in thousands): Year ended December 31, 2022 2021 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, 2022 2021 Tax at federal statutory rate 21.00 % 21.00 % State tax, net of federal benefit (0.01 )% (0.01 )% Change in rate — % (0.08 )% Valuation allowance (19.45 )% (19.59 )% PPP loan forgiveness — % 0.38 % Disallowed executive compensation (1.80 )% (5.45 )% Equity compensation 0.11 % 5.10 % Other 0.14 % (1.36 )% Provision for taxes (0.01 )% (0.01 )% The components of deferred tax assets (liabilities) included on the consolidated balance sheets are as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2022 2021 Deferred tax assets Capitalized start-up costs $ 2,842 $ 3,147 Credits 405 380 Fixed assets 618 1,367 Net operating losses 32,505 28,762 Others 995 744 Total gross deferred tax assets 37,365 34,400 Valuation allowance (37,282 ) (34,281 ) Total gross deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance) $ 83 $ 119 Deferred tax liabilities Patents $ (83 ) $ (119 ) Other — — Total gross deferred tax liabilities (83 ) (119 ) 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, 2022 December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 2022 At December 31, 2022 December 31, 2034 Utilization of the Company’s net operating loss may At December 31, 2022 not December 31, 2034. The Company’s policy is to account for interest and penalties as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2022 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, 2022 none not twelve The Company files income tax returns with the United States federal government and the State of California. The Company’s tax returns for 2019, 2020 2021

Note 18 - 401(k) Savings Plan

Note 18 - 401(k) Savings Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Postemployment Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	18. 401 The Company maintains a defined-contribution savings plan under Section 401 “401 401 January 2021, 401 December 31, 2022 2021

Note 19 - Subsequent Events

Note 19 - Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	19. Subsequent events On February 1, 2023, 2999 89434 first twenty-four March 1, 2025. 9 first On February 1, 2023, 2999 89434 The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date which the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
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 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, 2022 no not December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021
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, net 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. 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, 2022 2021, December 31, 2022 2021,
Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Intellectual property, net Intellectual property consists of patent applications contributed to the Company by five ten may not December 31, 2022 2021
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Investment in LINICO Investments, which may not
Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]	Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating lease right-of-use assets (“ROU assets”) and short-term and long-term lease liabilities are included in the consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating and finance lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not may 12
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, December 31, 2021, not 2019
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 asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and 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, and accrued expenses 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 assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]	Stock-based compensation The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 three
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, 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, stock options and warrants were not Year Ended December 31, Excluded potentially dilutive securities (1): 2022 2021 Options to purchase common stock 994,267 1,026,712 Unvested restricted stock 6,387,937 5,246,875 Financing warrants to purchase common stock 6,372 6,372 Total potential dilutive securities 7,388,576 6,279,959 ( 1 not
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Segment and geographic information Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is the Chief Executive Officer. 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 CODM in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The CODM views its operations and manages its business in one one
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of credit risk The Company generated revenue of $4,000 and $173,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022 2021 December 31, 2022 2021 not December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021
Reclassification, Comparability Adjustment [Policy Text Block]	Plant operations and clean up During the fourth 2022, no
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent accounting pronouncements There were no December 31, 2022

Note 2 - Summary of Significa_2

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
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): 2022 2021 Options to purchase common stock 994,267 1,026,712 Unvested restricted stock 6,387,937 5,246,875 Financing warrants to purchase common stock 6,372 6,372 Total potential dilutive securities 7,388,576 6,279,959

Note 5 - Inventory (Tables)

Note 5 - Inventory (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes Tables
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2022 2021 Finished goods $ 28 $ 28 Work in process — 9 Raw materials 250 86 $ 278 $ 123

Note 7 - Property and Equipme_2

Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes Tables
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	December 31, Asset Class Useful Life (Years) 2022 2021 Operational equipment 3 - 10 $ 1,445 $ 1,539 Lab equipment 5 730 530 Computer equipment 3 6 8 Office furniture and equipment 3 90 91 Leasehold improvements 2.5 80 — Equipment under construction 6,486 1,328 8,837 3,496 Less: accumulated depreciation (1,494 ) (1,129 ) $ 7,343 $ 2,367

Note 8 - Intellectual Property

Note 8 - Intellectual Property (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes Tables
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	2022 2021 Intellectual property $ 1,794 $ 1,794 Accumulated amortization (1,333 ) (1,154 ) Intellectual property, net $ 461 $ 640
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	2023 $ 179 2024 135 2025 70 2026 51 2027 26 Thereafter — Total estimated future amortization $ 461

Note 10 - Other Assets (Tables)

Note 10 - Other Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes Tables
Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2022 2021 Nevada and Alameda facilities Right of Use Assets (1) $ 463 $ 514 Equipment deposits (2) 6 217 Other assets 20 65 Total other assets, non-current $ 489 $ 796

Note 11 - Accrued Liabilities (

Note 11 - Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2022 2021 Property and equipment related $ 770 $ 2,242 Class action settlement 500 500 Payroll related 418 180 Professional services 51 56 Other 41 27 $ 1,780 $ 3,005

Note 12 - Leases (Tables)

Note 12 - Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes Tables
Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]	Twelve Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Cash paid for operating lease liabilities $ 344 $ 694 Operating lease cost $ 338 $ 621 Cash paid for finance lease liabilities $ 61 $ 26 Interest expense $ 9 $ 3 December 31, 2022 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) - operating leases 1.9 Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 6.16 % Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) - finance leases 1.3 Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases 7.50 %
Lessee, Lease Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]	Operating Leases Finance Leases 2023 $ 266 $ 68 2024 $ 238 $ 45 2025 $ — $ — $ 504 $ 113 Less imputed interest $ (28 ) $ (7 ) Total lease liabilities $ 476 $ 106 Current lease liabilities $ 245 $ 62 Non-current lease liabilities $ 231 $ 44 $ 476 $ 106

Note 13 - Notes Payable (Tables

Note 13 - Notes Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes Tables
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2022 2021 Note payable, current portion The Lenders, net of issuance costs $ 5,899 $ — Total note payable, current portion $ 5,899 $ —

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equity

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes Tables
Schedule of Stockholders' Equity Note, Warrants or Rights [Table Text Block]	Shares Subject to Purchase Exercise Price per Share Expiration Date at December 31, 2022 $ 1.90 1/22/2024 6,372
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2022 2021 Cost of product sales $ 104 $ 73 Research and development cost 36 77 General and administrative expense 2,115 2,051 Total $ 2,255 $ 2,201
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, 2020 3,398,870 1,387,673 $ 3.89 5,624,166 $ 0.66 Granted (1,803,172 ) — — 1,803,172 1.63 Exercised/ Released — (347,901 ) 2.09 (2,121,220 ) 0.91 Forfeited 72,303 (13,060 ) 8.71 (59,243 ) 0.83 Balance at December 31, 2021 1,668,001 1,026,712 $ 4.44 5,246,875 $ 1.07 Authorized 7,000,000 — — — — Granted (3,691,202 ) — — 3,691,202 0.69 Exercised/ Released — — — (2,297,130 ) 0.90 Forfeited 285,455 (32,445 ) 5.78 (253,010 ) 1.16 Balance at December 31, 2022 5,262,254 994,267 $ 4.40 6,387,937 $ 0.91 Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Exercise Remaining Aggregate Price Per Contractual Intrinsic Value Shares Share Life (Years) (in thousands) Outstanding 994,267 $ 4.40 0.40 $ — Vested and exercisable 994,267 $ 4.40 0.40 $ —
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 Per Share Shares (Years) Shares (Years) $1.60 - $2.79 106,361 0.86 106,361 0.86 $2.80 - $4.50 450,882 0.33 450,882 0.33 $4.51 - $7.50 420,000 0.33 420,000 0.33 $7.51 - $12.55 8,690 0.45 8,690 0.45 $12.56 - $24.81 8,334 0.84 8,334 0.84 994,267 0.40 994,267 0.40
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 7,382,204 Available for future grants 5,262,254 Officer and Director Purchase Plan 237,382 Warrants 6,372 12,888,212

Note 15 - Commitments and Con_2

Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes Tables
Lessee, Lease Liability, Future Minimum Payments [Table Text Block]	Operating Leases Finance Leases 2023 $ 266 $ 68 2024 $ 238 $ 45 2025 $ — $ — Total minimum lease payments $ 504 $ 113

Note 17 - Income Taxes (Tables)

Note 17 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022
Notes Tables
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2022 2021 US $ (15,429 ) $ (18,191 ) Foreign — — Total $ (15,429 ) $ (18,191 )
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2022 2021 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, 2022 2021 Tax at federal statutory rate 21.00 % 21.00 % State tax, net of federal benefit (0.01 )% (0.01 )% Change in rate — % (0.08 )% Valuation allowance (19.45 )% (19.59 )% PPP loan forgiveness — % 0.38 % Disallowed executive compensation (1.80 )% (5.45 )% Equity compensation 0.11 % 5.10 % Other 0.14 % (1.36 )% Provision for taxes (0.01 )% (0.01 )%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2022 2021 Deferred tax assets Capitalized start-up costs $ 2,842 $ 3,147 Credits 405 380 Fixed assets 618 1,367 Net operating losses 32,505 28,762 Others 995 744 Total gross deferred tax assets 37,365 34,400 Valuation allowance (37,282 ) (34,281 ) Total gross deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance) $ 83 $ 119 Deferred tax liabilities Patents $ (83 ) $ (119 ) Other — — Total gross deferred tax liabilities (83 ) (119 ) Net deferred tax assets $ — $ —

Note 1 - Organization and Ope_2

Note 1 - Organization and Operations (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 4	$ 173
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total	(15,431)	(18,193)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total	$ 7,082	$ 8,137

Note 2 - Summary of Significa_3

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Impairment, Long-Lived Asset, Held-for-Use, Total	$ 579,000	$ 545,000
Number of Operating Segments	1
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 4,000	$ 173,000
Percentage of Revenue From Products Transferred at Point in Time	100%	100%
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current, Total	$ 12,000	$ 269,000
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current, Total	0	17,000
Sale of Inventory [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 4,000	$ 173,000
P. Kay Metals [Member]
Percentage of Revenue From Products Transferred at Point in Time	100%	100%
Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Total	$ 0	$ 0
AquaRefining Fire [Member]
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities		$ 30,250,000

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, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Total potential dilutive securities (in shares)	[1]	7,388,576	6,279,959
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Total potential dilutive securities (in shares)	[1]	994,267	1,026,712
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Total potential dilutive securities (in shares)	[1]	6,387,937	5,246,875
Warrant [Member]
Total potential dilutive securities (in shares)	[1]	6,372	6,372
[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 3 - Revenue Recognition (D

Note 3 - Revenue Recognition (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Percentage of Revenue From Products Transferred at Point in Time	100%	100%

Note 4 - Lease Receivable (Deta

Note 4 - Lease Receivable (Details Textual)	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 24, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Feb. 15, 2021 USD ($) ft²	Nov. 30, 2019 ft²
Area of Land Damaged by Fire (Square Foot) | ft²							30,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total		$ 4,771,000	$ 2,350,000
Sales-Type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Excluding Accrued Interest, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Total		$ 17,000,000
Sales-Type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Excluding Accrued Interest, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Implied Interest Rate		0.50%
Proceeds from Sales-type Lease Payments, Financing Activities		$ 920,000
Sales-type Lease, Interest Income		$ 76,000
LiNiCo [Member]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total	$ 800,000
Recycling Facility at TRIC [Member]
Area of Real Estate Property (Square Foot) | ft²						136,750
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

Note 5 - Inventory - Inventory

Note 5 - Inventory - Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Finished goods	$ 28	$ 28
Work in process	0	9
Raw materials	250	86
Inventory, Net, Total	$ 278	$ 123

Note 6 - Assets Held for Sale (

Note 6 - Assets Held for Sale (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Assets Held for Sale, Additions	$ 47,000	$ 2,600,000
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of	$ 600,000	$ 500,000

Note 7 - Property and Equipme_3

Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Depreciation, Total	$ 0.5	$ 0.6

Note 7 - Property and Equipme_4

Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net - Property and Equipment, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Property and equipment, gross	$ 8,837	$ 3,496
Less: accumulated depreciation	(1,494)	(1,129)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	7,343	2,367
Operational Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,445	1,539
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	$ 730	530
Computer Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, net, useful life (Year)	3 years
Property and equipment, gross	$ 6	8
Office Furniture and Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, net, useful life (Year)	3 years
Property and equipment, gross	$ 90	91
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property and equipment, net, useful life (Year)	2 years 6 months
Property and equipment, gross	$ 80	0
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 6,486	$ 1,328

Note 8 - Intellectual Propert_2

Note 8 - Intellectual Property (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 179	$ 180

Note 8 - Intellectual Propert_3

Note 8 - Intellectual Property - Intellectual Property, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Intellectual property	$ 1,794	$ 1,794
Accumulated amortization	(1,333)	(1,154)
Total estimated future amortization	$ 461	$ 640

Note 8 - Intellectual Propert_4

Note 8 - Intellectual Property - Estimated Future Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
2023	$ 179
2024	135
2025	70
2026	51
2027	26
Thereafter	0
Total estimated future amortization	$ 461	$ 640

Note 9 - Investments (Details T

Note 9 - Investments (Details Textual) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 15, 2021	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
LiNiCo [Member]
Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Initial Sale of Stock (in shares)	375,000
Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Approximate Proceeds from Initial Sale of Stock	$ 1,500,000
Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Approximate Proceeds from Aggregate Sale of Stock	$ 232,000
LiNiCo [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners		12%
LiNiCo [Member] | Comstock Mining Inc. [Member]
Ownership Percentage	88%
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | LiNiCo [Member]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	8%
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000
LiNiCo [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Equity Method Invesment (in shares)	375,000		375,000
LiNiCo [Member] | Series A Warrant [Member]
Investment Warrant, Term (Year)	3 years
Investment Warrant, Exercised During Period (in shares)		500
LiNiCo [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Shares Received in Exchange of Common Stock Issued (in shares)	1,500
Value of Shares Received in Exchange of Common Stock Issued	$ 1,500,000
Investment Owned, Balance, Shares (in shares)		2,000

Note 10 - Other Assets - Other

Note 10 - Other Assets - Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Nevada and Alameda facilities Right of Use Assets (1)		$ 463	$ 514
Equipment deposits (2)	[1]	6	217
Other assets		20	65
Total other assets, non-current		$ 489	$ 796
[1]Deposits for equipment to be acquired and utilized at the Company's Innovation Center or customer locations.

Note 11 - Accrued Liabilities -

Note 11 - Accrued Liabilities - Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Property and equipment related	$ 770	$ 2,242
Class action settlement	500	500
Payroll related	418	180
Professional services	51	56
Other	41	27
Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total	$ 1,780	$ 3,005

Note 12 - Leases (Details Textu

Note 12 - Leases (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Sublease Income	$ 85,000	$ 509,000
Operating Lease and Finance lease, Right-of-Use Asset	463,000	514,000
Operating Lease, Liability, Total	476,000
Lease Liability, Current and Noncurrent Portion [Member]
Operating Lease, Liability, Total	$ 500,000	$ 600,000
Real Estate Lease One [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract (Month)	36 months
Real Estate Lease Two [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract (Month)	37 months

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, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities	$ 344	$ 694
Operating lease cost	338	621
Cash paid for finance lease liabilities	61	26
Interest expense	$ 9	$ 3
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) - operating leases (Year)	1 year 10 months 24 days
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases	6.16%
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) - finance leases (Year)	1 year 3 months 18 days
Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases	7.50%

Note 12 - Leases - Maturities o

Note 12 - Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
2023, operating lease	$ 266
2023, finance lease	68
2024, operating lease	238
2024, finance lease	45
2025, operating lease	0
2025, finance lease	0
operating lease	504
finance lease	113
Less imputed interest, operating lease	(28)
Less imputed interest, finance lease	(7)
Total lease liabilities, operating lease	476
finance lease	106
Total lease liabilities, operating lease	476
Total finance lease	106
Lease Liability, Current and Noncurrent Portion [Member]
operating lease	504
finance lease	113
Total lease liabilities, operating lease	500	$ 600
Total lease liabilities, operating lease	500	$ 600
Lease Liability, Current Portion [Member]
Current lease liabilities, operating lease	245
Current lease liabilities, finance lease	62
Lease Liability, Noncurrent Portion [Member]
Non-current lease liabilities, operating lease	231
Non-current lease liabilities, finance lease	$ 44

Note 13 - Notes Payable (Detail

Note 13 - Notes Payable (Details Textual) - Loan Agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)
Summit Investment Services, LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument, Undivided Interest Rate	90.8334%
Darren McBride, Trustee of the Arduino 1 Trust, U/A Dated April 25, 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Undivided Interest Rate	8.3333%
Jason Yelowitz, Trustee of the Jason Yelowitz 2006 Trust, Dated March 31, 2006 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Undivided Interest Rate	0.8333%
Lenders [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 6,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.50%
Debt Instrument Term, Interest Only Payments (Month)	24 months
Debt Instrument, Guaranteed Minimum Interest	$ 255,000

Note 13 - Notes Payable - Sched

Note 13 - Notes Payable - Schedule of Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Note payable	$ 5,899	$ 0
Loan Agreement [Member] | Summit Investment Services, LLC [Member]
Note payable	$ 5,899	$ 0

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equit_2

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equity (Details Textual)		1 Months Ended														12 Months Ended
	Feb. 15, 2021 shares	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Oct. 31, 2022 USD ($) shares	Aug. 31, 2022 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2022 USD ($) shares	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($) shares	May 31, 2022 USD ($) shares	Apr. 30, 2022 USD ($) shares	Feb. 28, 2022 USD ($) shares	Jan. 31, 2022 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Oct. 31, 2021 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($) shares	May 31, 2021 USD ($) shares	Feb. 28, 2021 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2019 shares	Dec. 31, 2017 shares
Common Stock, Shares Authorized (in shares)		200,000,000									200,000,000					200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.001									$ 0.001					$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Warrant Exercised | $																	$ 0
Class of Warrant or Right, 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, Exercises in Period (in shares)																0	347,901
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | $																$ 6,519,000	$ 10,166,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Weighted Average Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 1.90														$ 1.90
Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount, Total | $		$ 4.5														$ 4.5
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition (Year)																2 years 3 months 18 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)			28,223	10,537	143,708	12,121	182,293	9,615	47,933	44,780	1,652,517	4,673	12,111	81,883	25,000	3,691,202	1,803,172
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Fair Value | $			$ 21,308	$ 10,000	$ 120,000	$ 10,000	$ 175,000	$ 10,000	$ 50,000	$ 50,000	$ 2,420,000	$ 10,000	$ 25,000	$ 235,000	$ 151,500
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period, Number of Installments											6	6	6	12
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)						3 years	12 months	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years	1 year
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested | $																$ 2,400,000	$ 6,900,000
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding | $		$ 8,000,000									$ 6,500,000					$ 8,000,000	$ 6,500,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)		27,739
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Fair Value | $		$ 20,000
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, Award Vesting Period (Year)		3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)		3,184,253
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Fair Value | $		$ 2,368,682
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, Award Vesting Period (Year)																3 years
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)																		18,500,000
The 2019 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)																		10 years
LiNiCo [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Equity Method Invesment (in shares)	375,000																375,000
First Cashless Exercise of Warrant [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights (in shares)											10,350						10,350
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											$ 1.90						$ 1.90
Second Cashless Exercise of Warrant [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights (in shares)											86,778						86,778
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											$ 1.90						$ 1.90
First Set of Common Stock Pursuant to Cashless Exercise of Warrant [Member]
Share Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											3.95						$ 3.95
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Warrant Exercised | $																	$ 5,371
Second Set of Common Stock Pursuant to Cashless Exercise of Warrant [Member]
Share Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											$ 6.20						$ 6.20
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Warrant Exercised | $																	$ 60,219
Management and Employees [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross (in shares)																2,150,467	2,005,258
Board Members [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross (in shares)																125,264	109,138
Prior Company Executive [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares)																	57,170
ATM [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares)																6,742,069,000,000	2,995,430
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | $																$ 6,500,000	$ 10,200,000
Director [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Issued for Services (in shares)																28,223
Former Board Member [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Issued for Services (in shares)																19,176

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equit_3

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equity - Warrants Outstanding (Details)	Dec. 31, 2022 $ / shares shares
Exercise price per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.90
Shares subject to purchase (in shares) | shares	6,372

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equit_4

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equity - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 2,255	$ 2,201
Cost of Sales [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	104	73
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	36	77
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 2,115	$ 2,051

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equit_5

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equity - Stock-based Compensation Plan Activity (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2022	Jul. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	May 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2022	Feb. 28, 2022	Jan. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Oct. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	May 31, 2021	Feb. 28, 2021	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Number of shares available for grant (in shares)								1,668,001						1,668,001	3,398,870
Options, Outstanding (in shares)								1,026,712						1,026,712	1,387,673
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)								$ 4.44						$ 4.44	$ 3.89
Granted (in shares)														(3,691,202)	(1,803,172)
Options, Granted (in shares)														0	0
Options, Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)														$ 0	$ 0
Options, Exercised/ Released (in shares)														0	(347,901)
Options, Exercised/ Released, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)														$ 0	$ 2.09
Forfeited (in shares)														285,455	72,303
Options, Forfeited (in shares)														(32,445)	(13,060)
Options, Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)														$ 5.78	$ 8.71
Authorized (in shares)															7,000,000
Number of shares available for grant (in shares)									1,668,001					5,262,254	1,668,001
Options, Outstanding (in shares)									1,026,712					994,267	1,026,712
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)									$ 4.44					$ 4.40	$ 4.44
Outstanding (in shares)									1,026,712					994,267	1,026,712
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)									$ 4.44					$ 4.40	$ 4.44
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Year)														4 months 24 days
Outstanding, Intrinsic Value														$ 0
Vested and exercisable (in shares)														994,267
Vested and exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)														$ 4.40
Vested and exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Year)														4 months 24 days
Vested and exercisable, Intrinsic Value														$ 0
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
RSUs, Outstanding (in shares)								5,246,875						5,246,875	5,624,166
RSUs, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)								$ 1.07						$ 1.07	$ 0.66
RSUs, Granted (in shares)	28,223	10,537	143,708	12,121	182,293	9,615	47,933	44,780	1,652,517	4,673	12,111	81,883	25,000	3,691,202	1,803,172
RSUs, Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)														$ 0.69	$ 1.63
RSUs, Exercised/ Released (in shares)														(2,297,130)	(2,121,220)
RSUs, Exercised/ Released, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)														$ 0.90	$ 0.91
RSUs, Forfeited (in shares)														(253,010)	(59,243)
RSUs, Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)														$ 1.16	$ 0.83
RSUs, Outstanding (in shares)									5,246,875					6,387,937	5,246,875
RSUs, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)									$ 1.07					$ 0.91	$ 1.07

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equit_6

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equity - Stock Options Outstanding (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 $ / shares shares
Options outstanding (in shares)	994,267
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	4 months 24 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	994,267
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	4 months 24 days
Exercise Price 1 [Member]
Lower limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.60
Upper limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.79
Options outstanding (in shares)	106,361
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	10 months 9 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	106,361
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	10 months 9 days
Exercise Price 2 [Member]
Lower limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.80
Upper limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 4.50
Options outstanding (in shares)	450,882
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	3 months 29 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	450,882
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	3 months 29 days
Exercise Price 3 [Member]
Lower limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 4.51
Upper limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 7.50
Options outstanding (in shares)	420,000
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	3 months 29 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	420,000
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	3 months 29 days
Exercise Price 4 [Member]
Lower limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 7.51
Upper limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 12.55
Options outstanding (in shares)	8,690
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	5 months 12 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	8,690
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	5 months 12 days
Exercise Price 5 [Member]
Lower limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 12.56
Upper limit range (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 24.81
Options outstanding (in shares)	8,334
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	10 months 2 days
Options exercisable (in shares)	8,334
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	10 months 2 days

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equit_7

Note 14 - Stockholders' Equity - Reserved Shares (Details) - shares	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Subject to outstanding options and restricted shares (in shares)	7,382,204
Available for future grants (in shares)	5,262,254	1,668,001	3,398,870
Officer and Director Purchase Plan (in shares)	237,382
Shares subject to purchase (in shares)	6,372
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	12,888,212

Note 15 - Commitments and Con_3

Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021 a	Aug. 07, 2015 a
Land Subject to Ground Leases (Acre)			14,016
Number of Finance Lease for Equipment	2
Office Space in Reno, Nevada [Member]
Area of Lease Property (Acre)		4,183

Note 15 - Commitments and Con_4

Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
2023, operating lease	$ 266
2023, finance lease	68
2024, operating lease	238
2024, finance lease	45
2025, operating lease	0
2025. finance lease	0
operating lease	504
finance lease	$ 113

Note 17 - Income Taxes (Details

Note 17 - Income Taxes (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount	$ 3
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	300,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	153,400,000
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	500,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | California Franchise Tax Board [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	4,100,000
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	$ 500,000
Domestic and State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Open Tax Year	2019 2020 2021

Note 17 - Income Taxes - Loss B

Note 17 - Income Taxes - Loss Before Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
US	$ (15,429)	$ (18,191)
Foreign	0	0
Loss before income tax expense	$ (15,429)	$ (18,191)

Note 17 - Income Taxes - Provis

Note 17 - Income Taxes - Provision for Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Current
Federal	$ 0	$ 0
State	2	2
Deferred
Federal	0	0
State	0	0
Total provision for income taxes	$ 2	$ 2

Note 17 - Income Taxes - Reconc

Note 17 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Income Tax Rates (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Tax at federal statutory rate	21%	21%
State tax, net of federal benefit	(0.01%)	(0.01%)
Change in rate	0%	(0.08%)
Valuation allowance	(19.45%)	(19.59%)
PPP loan forgiveness	0%	0.38%
Disallowed executive compensation	(1.80%)	(5.45%)
Equity compensation	0.11%	5.10%
Other	0.14%	(1.36%)
Provision for taxes	(0.01%)	(0.01%)

Note 17 - Income Taxes - Deferr

Note 17 - Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Deferred tax assets
Capitalized start-up costs	$ 2,842	$ 3,147
Credits	405	380
Fixed assets	618	1,367
Net operating losses	32,505	28,762
Others	995	744
Total gross deferred tax assets	37,365	34,400
Valuation allowance	(37,282)	(34,281)
Total gross deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	83	119
Deferred tax liabilities
Patents	(83)	(119)
Other	0	0
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(83)	(119)
Net deferred tax assets	$ 0	$ 0

Note 18 - 401(k) Savings Plan (

Note 18 - 401(k) Savings Plan (Details Textual) - The 401K Plan [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost	$ 111,000	$ 71,000
Maximum [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	4%

Note 19 - Subsequent Events (De

Note 19 - Subsequent Events (Details Textual) - Subsequent Event [Member] - Aqua Metals Reno, Inc [Member]	Feb. 01, 2023 USD ($) ft²
Area of Real Estate Property (Square Foot) | ft²	21,000
Payments to Acquire Buildings	$ 4,275,000
Loan Agreement [Member] | Summit Investment Services, LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 3,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	9.50%
Debt Instrument, Guaranteed Minimum Interest	$ 213,750