Note 17 - Business Segment Information (Detail) - Reportable Segment Data Reconciled to the Consolidated Financial Statements (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net Sales	$ 1,547,000	$ 5,226,000
Loss (Income) From Operations	18,591,000	21,051,000
Depreciation and Amortization	1,071,000	1,324,000
Assets	66,389,000	63,532,000
Power And Energy Group [Member]
Net Sales	1,302,000	4,503,000
Loss (Income) From Operations	18,756,000	21,122,000
Depreciation and Amortization	995,000	1,248,000
Assets	66,055,000	63,068,000
All Other Segments [Member]
Net Sales	245,000	723,000
Loss (Income) From Operations	(165,000)	(71,000)
Depreciation and Amortization	76,000	76,000
Assets	$ 334,000	$ 464,000