Intangibles

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangibles

(9) Intangibles

Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. No impairment charges were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Patent costs associated with the application and award of patents in the U.S. and various other countries are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the patents as determined at the award date, which varies depending on the pendency period of the application, generally approximating seventeen years.

Amortization of intangible assets acquired is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

	Estimated Life	December 31,			December 31,
	(years)	2020			2019
Capitalized patent costs	17-20	$	9,708		$	9,245
Intangible assets acquired:
Purchased patents and intellectual property	3-10		250			250
Existing technology	5		1,560			1,560
Customer relationships	7		290			290
Backlog	2		—			760
Tradenames	3		—			290
Non-solicitation agreements	1		—			120
Gross intangible assets			11,808			12,515
Accumulated amortization			(5,196	)		(5,845	)
Intangibles, net		$	6,612		$	6,670

Amortization expense on intangible assets was as follows:   

	Year Ended		Year Ended
	December 31,		December 31,
	2020		2019
Amortization expense	$	559	$	567

For intangible assets recorded at December 31, 2020, the estimated future aggregate amortization expense for the years ending December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2025 is as follows:

	Amortization
Year ending December 31:	Expense
2021	$	498
2022		483
2023		472
2024		461
2025		443