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Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
2.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates — The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents consist principally of bank deposits and institutional money market funds.  Short-term investments that are highly liquid have insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of 90 days or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Our U.S operating cash balances are maintained in bank accounts that are insured up to $250,000 for each “owner” by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, almost all of the Company’s cash included cash on hand and deposits in accounts maintained within the PRC where there is currently no rule or regulation in place for obligatory insurance to cover bank deposits in the event of bank failure. However, the Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. At December 31, 2012 and 2011 we had cash of $12.4 million and $46.3 million, respectively.  We have one standby letter of credit in the U.S for $293,000, which is in an uninsured money market account and it is scheduled to be released in the first quarter of 2013.

Accounts Receivable — Accounts receivable consists of amounts due from customers for services and product sales, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. We determine the allowance for doubtful accounts by reviewing each customer account and specifically identifying any potential for loss.

Inventory – We value our inventories generally at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.  We employ a full absorption procedure using standard cost techniques.  The standards are customarily reviewed and adjusted every three months.  Overhead rates are recorded to inventory based on normal capacity.  Any idle facility costs or excessive spoilage are recorded as current period charges.

Research and Development Expenditures —  The costs of materials, equipment, or facilities that are acquired or constructed for a particular research and development project and that have no alternative future uses (in other research and development projects or otherwise) are expensed as research and development costs at the time the costs are incurred.  Research and development expenditures related to materials and equipment or facilities that are acquired or constructed for research and development activities and that have alternative future uses (in research and development projects or otherwise) are capitalized when acquired or constructed.  Research and development expenditures, which include the cost of materials consumed in research and development activities, salaries, wages and other costs of personnel engaged in research and development, costs of services performed by others for research and development on our behalf and indirect costs are expensed as research and development costs when incurred. 

Stock-Based Compensation — We measure the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which services are provided in exchange for the award, known as the requisite service period.

Long-Lived Assets — We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable.  The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset are less than the carrying value.  Our estimate of the cash flows is based on the information available at the time including the following:  internal budgets; sales forecasts; customer trends; anticipated production volumes; and market conditions over an estimate of the remaining useful life of the asset which may range from 3 to 10 years for most equipment and up to 22 years for our building and related building improvements.  If impairment is indicated, the asset value is written down to its fair value. Events or circumstances that could indicate the existence of a possible impairment include obsolescence of the technology, an absence of market demand for the product or the assets used to produce it, a history of operating or cash flow losses and/or the partial or complete lapse of technology rights protection.

As of December 31, 2012, we estimate that our future cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, are greater than the carrying value of our long-lived assets. Our estimated future cash flows include anticipated product margins and commercial collaborations, since our long-lived asset base, which is primarily composed of production, laboratory and testing equipment is utilized to fulfill customer contracts in all revenue categories.

Property, plant and equipment held and used and held and not used are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the following useful lives:

Building and improvements (years)
  30  
Nanoparticle production equipment (years)
5 - 10
Vehicles (years)
  5  
Furniture and office equipment (years)
3 - 7

Patents are related to the nanoparticle production technology and stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is recorded using the straight-line method over their useful lives. The weighted average useful lives are 16.7 years. Land use rights are stated at cost less accumulated amortization.  Amortization is recorded using the straight-line method over their 50 year useful lives.

Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or service has been performed, the fee is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.  Revenue from product sales is recognized upon delivery of the product, unless specific contractual terms dictate otherwise.  Based on the specific terms and conditions of each contract/grant, revenues are recognized on a time and materials basis, a percentage of completion basis and/or a completed contract basis.  Revenue under contracts based on time and materials is recognized at contractually billable rates as labor hours and expenses are incurred.  Revenue under contracts based on a fixed fee arrangement is recognized based on various performance measures, such as stipulated milestones.  As these milestones are achieved, revenue is recognized.  From time to time, facts develop that may require us to revise our estimated total costs or revenues expected.  The cumulative effect of revised estimates and the full amount of anticipated losses on any type of contract is recognized in the period in which they become known.  Payments received in advance relating to the future performance of services or deliveries of products are deferred until the performance of the service is complete or the product is shipped.  Upfront payments received in connection with certain rights granted in contractual arrangements are deferred and revenue is recognized over the related time period which the benefits are received.

Accrued Warranty — We provide a limited warranty for battery packs and energy storage systems.  A liability is recorded for estimated warranty obligations at the date products are sold.  Since these are new products, the estimated cost of warranty coverage is based on cell and module life cycle testing and compared for reasonableness to warranty rates on competing battery products.  As sufficient actual historical data is collected on the new product, the estimated cost of warranty coverage will be adjusted accordingly.  The liability for estimated warranty obligations may also be adjusted based on specific warranty issues identified.  

Overhead Allocation — Facilities overhead and production employees fringe benefit costs are initially recorded in general and administrative expenses and then allocated to research and development and product inventories based on relative labor costs. Production equipment depreciation expense is recorded to cost of goods sold as the equipment is used to produce product sold to customers and production equipment depreciation is attached to, and transferred to product in ending inventory until such product is used to satisfy customer orders.

Net Loss per Common Share — Basic loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.  Diluted loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and potentially dilutive shares outstanding during the period.  Potentially dilutive shares consist of the incremental shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants.  Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. We had a net loss for all periods presented herein; therefore, none of the stock options and warrants outstanding during each of the periods presented were included in the computation of diluted loss per share as they were anti-dilutive. Stock options and warrants to purchase a total of 667,745 as of December 31, 2012 and 683,151 shares as of December 31, 2011 were excluded from the calculations of diluted loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Income Taxes The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, the provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable (or received or receivable) for the current year plus the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid, and result from differences between the financial and tax bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when enacted.

Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, management considers all potential sources of taxable income, including income available in carryback periods, future reversals of taxable temporary differences, projections of taxable income, and income from tax planning strategies, as well as all available positive and negative evidence. Positive evidence includes factors such as a history of profitable operations, projections of future profitability within the carryforward period, including from tax planning strategies, and the Company’s experience with similar operations. Existing favorable contracts and the ability to sell products into established markets are additional positive evidence. Negative evidence includes items such as cumulative losses, projections of future losses, or carryforward periods that are not long enough to allow for the utilization of a deferred tax asset based on existing projections of income. Deferred tax assets for which no valuation allowance is recorded may not be realized upon changes in facts and circumstances, resulting in a future charge to establish a valuation allowance.

Tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return are recorded when such benefits meet a more likely than not threshold. Otherwise, these tax benefits are recorded when a tax position has been effectively settled, which means that the statute of limitation has expired or the appropriate taxing authority has completed their examination even though the statute of limitations remains open. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized as part of the provision for income taxes and are accrued beginning in the period that such interest and penalties would be applicable under relevant tax law until such time that the related tax benefits are recognized. The company is no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2005.

Related Party Transactions – We buy products from and sell products to various related companies, consisting of entities in which the Company retains a 50% or less equity interest, at negotiated arms-length prices between the two parties.

Litigation MattersFor asserted claims and assessments, liabilities are recorded when an unfavorable outcome of a matter is deemed to be probable and the loss is reasonably estimable. Management determines the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome based on many factors such as the nature of the matter, available defenses and case strategy, progress of the matter, views and opinions of legal counsel and other advisors, applicability and success of appeals processes, and the outcome of similar historical matters, among others. Once an unfavorable outcome is deemed probable, management weighs the probability of estimated losses, and the most reasonable loss estimate is recorded. If an unfavorable outcome of a matter is deemed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, then the matter is disclosed and no liability is recorded. With respect to unasserted claims or assessments, management must first determine that the probability that an assertion will be made is likely, then, a determination as to the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to reasonably estimate the potential loss is made. Legal matters are reviewed on a continuous basis to determine if there has been a change in management’s judgment regarding the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the estimate of a potential loss.

Foreign Currency – The consolidated financial statements are presented in our reporting currency, U.S. Dollars. The functional currency for the subsidiaries in China is the Chinese Yuan or RMB. Accordingly, the balance sheet of the Chinese subsidiaries is translated into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated using the average exchange rates in effect during the period. Translation differences are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as foreign currency translation. Gains or losses on transactions denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currency which arise as a result of changes in foreign exchange rates are recorded as foreign exchange gain or loss in the statements of operations.

Reclassifications — Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to classifications adopted in the current year.

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

Adopted

In May, 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements between U.S. and International accounting principles.  Overall, the guidance is consistent with existing U.S. accounting principles; however, there are some amendments that change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Other than the additional disclosure requirements (see Note 3.) the adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2011, the FASB amended existing guidance and eliminated the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholder’s equity.  The amendment requires that comprehensive income be presented in either a single continuous statement or in two separate consecutive statements. Management elected to present the two-statement option. Other than the change in presentation, the adoption of these changes had no impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Issued

In December 2011, the FASB issued changes to the disclosure of offsetting assets and liabilities. These changes require an entity to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The enhanced disclosures will enable users of an entity’s financial statements to understand and evaluate the effect or potential effect of master netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position, including the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with certain financial instruments and derivative instruments. These changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2013. Other than the additional disclosure requirements, management has determined that the adoption of these changes will not have an impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued changes to the information provided about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. These changes require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. These changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2013. Management has determined that the adoption of these changes will not have an impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.