Note 11 - Business Segment Information (Detail) - Revenues and Accounts Receivable by Major Customers (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Sales	$ 360	$ 855		$ 1,071	$ 3,882
Accounts Receivable				333
Accounts Receivable	949			949
Emrol [Member] | Power And Energy Group [Member]
Sales				139
Hybricon [Member] | Power And Energy Group [Member]
Sales				131
Proterra [Member] | Power And Energy Group [Member]
Sales				121
Accounts Receivable	121			121
ABB Secheron [Member] | Power And Energy Group [Member]
Sales				111
Accounts Receivable	2			2
Yintong Energy (YTE) [Member] | Power And Energy Group [Member]
Sales					1,779	[1]
Accounts Receivable			[1]			[1]
Proterra, LLC [Member] | Power And Energy Group [Member]
Sales					1,045
Accounts Receivable		6			6
Power And Energy Group [Member]
Sales	$ 296	$ 795		$ 886	$ 3,219

[1] YTE (an affiliate of Canon) became a related party, as of July 21, 2011.