Note 7 - Patents

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 7.  Patents

       Our patents are associated with the nanomaterials and titanium dioxide pigment technology.  We are amortizing these assets on a straight-line basis over their useful lives.  The amortized patents’ balances as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were:

In thousands of dollars
	March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
Patents and patent applications	$	1,366		$	1,366
Less accumulated amortization		(1,035	)		(1,016	)
Total patents and patent applications	$	331		$	350

         The weighted average amortization period for patents is approximately 16.7 years.  Amortization expense, which represents the amortization relating to the identified amortizable patents, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011, was $19,000.  For each of the next four years, amortization expense relating to patents is expected to be approximately $76,000 per year. Amortization expense for the fifth year is expected to be approximately $27,000.