General	6 Months Ended
Jun. 29, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
General	1. General We are a leading company in developing and commercializing high temperature superconductor (“HTS”) materials and related technologies. Superconductivity is the unique ability to conduct various signals or energy (e.g., electrical current or radio frequency (“RF”) signals) with little or no resistance when cooled to “critical” temperatures. HTS materials are a family of elements that demonstrate superconducting properties at temperatures significantly warmer than previous superconducting materials. Electric currents that flow through conventional conductors encounter resistance that requires power to overcome and generates heat. HTS materials can substantially improve the performance characteristics of electrical systems, reducing power loss, lowering heat generation, and decreasing electrical noise. We were established in 1987 shortly after the discovery of HTS materials, a family of elements that demonstrate superconducting properties at temperatures significantly warmer than previous superconducting materials. Our stated objective was to develop products based on these materials for the commercial marketplace. After analyzing the market opportunities available, we decided to pursue a strategic revenue opportunity developing products for the electronics industry. Our initial product was completed in 1998, and we began delivery to a number of wireless network providers. In the following 13 years, we continued to refine and improve the platform, with the primary focus on improving reliability, increasing performance and runtime, and, most importantly, removing cost from the manufacturing process of the required subsystems. Our cost reducing efforts led to the invention of our proprietary, high-yield and high throughput HTS material deposition manufacturing process. In the last several years, we have focused our research and development efforts on adapting our successful HTS materials deposition techniques to production of high performance second generation “2G” HTS wire for next generation power applications. While all our current commercial product revenues come from the sale of high performance wireless infrastructure products, we now see production of our Conductus^® HTS wire as an excellent strategic opportunity to grow our future revenue. Historically, we used research and development contracts as a source of funds for our commercial technology development. We are not currently involved as either contractor or subcontractor on contracts with the U.S. government. Thus, for the six months ended June 29, 2013 and June 30, 2012, government and other contract revenues accounted for 0% and 12% of our net revenues, respectively. For the six months ended June 29, 2013 and June 30, 2012, commercial product revenues accounted for 100% and 88%, respectively, of our net revenues. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial information furnished herein has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the periods presented. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the condensed consolidated financial statements. This quarterly report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Form 10-K for 2012. The results of operations for the six months ended June 29, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results for all of 2013.

1. General

We are a leading company in developing and commercializing high temperature superconductor (“HTS”) materials and related technologies. Superconductivity is the unique ability to conduct various signals or energy (e.g., electrical current or radio frequency (“RF”) signals) with little or no resistance when cooled to “critical” temperatures. HTS materials are a family of elements that demonstrate superconducting properties at temperatures significantly warmer than previous superconducting materials. Electric currents that flow through conventional conductors encounter resistance that requires power to overcome and generates heat. HTS materials can substantially improve the performance characteristics of electrical systems, reducing power loss, lowering heat generation, and decreasing electrical noise.

We were established in 1987 shortly after the discovery of HTS materials, a family of elements that demonstrate superconducting properties at temperatures significantly warmer than previous superconducting materials. Our stated objective was to develop products based on these materials for the commercial marketplace.

After analyzing the market opportunities available, we decided to pursue a strategic revenue opportunity developing products for the electronics industry.

Our initial product was completed in 1998, and we began delivery to a number of wireless network providers. In the following 13 years, we continued to refine and improve the platform, with the primary focus on improving reliability, increasing performance and runtime, and, most importantly, removing cost from the manufacturing process of the required subsystems. Our cost reducing efforts led to the invention of our proprietary, high-yield and high throughput HTS material deposition manufacturing process.

In the last several years, we have focused our research and development efforts on adapting our successful HTS materials deposition techniques to production of high performance second generation “2G” HTS wire for next generation power applications. While all our current commercial product revenues come from the sale of high performance wireless infrastructure products, we now see production of our Conductus^® HTS wire as an excellent strategic opportunity to grow our future revenue.

Historically, we used research and development contracts as a source of funds for our commercial technology development. We are not currently involved as either contractor or subcontractor on contracts with the U.S. government. Thus, for the six months ended June 29, 2013 and June 30, 2012, government and other contract revenues accounted for 0% and 12% of our net revenues, respectively.

For the six months ended June 29, 2013 and June 30, 2012, commercial product revenues accounted for 100% and 88%, respectively, of our net revenues.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial information furnished herein has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the periods presented.

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the condensed consolidated financial statements. This quarterly report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Form 10-K for 2012. The results of operations for the six months ended June 29, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results for all of 2013.