Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company held $7,936,161 and $10,445,404 in cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivables consist of balances due from service revenues. Unbilled accounts receivables are from revenues earned but not yet billed. The Company monitors accounts receivable and provides allowances for expected credit losses when considered necessary. As of  March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, accounts receivable were considered to be fully collectible but in accordance with the allowance for credit losses, the Company recorded an allowance for credit losses based on a reserve of current and aged receivables which was not significant as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.  

Other Accounts Receivable

Other accounts receivable consist of accrued interest income from the cash held in an interest bearing money market account with a financial institution. We typically receive payment for accrued interest one month in arrears. 

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. The majority of our inventory is raw materials and work in progress.  Net realizable value is the value of an asset that can be realized upon the sale of the asset, less a reasonable estimate of the costs associated with either the eventual sale or the disposal of the asset in question.  We utilize third-party suppliers to produce our products. Costs associated with fabrication, and other costs associated with the manufacturing of products, are recorded as inventory. We periodically evaluate the carrying value of our inventories in relation to estimated forecasts of product demand, which takes into consideration the life cycle of product releases. Further, as we continue to hence and develop are AirSCWO systems we may replace materials and parts with upgrades to enhance the units. If it is not probable that the replacement part will be used , we establish a reserve against the material or part or dispose of it. When quantities on hand exceed estimated sales forecasts, we perform an analysis to determine if a write-down for such excess inventories is required.  Once inventory has been written down, it creates a new cost basis for inventory.  Inventories are classified as current assets in accordance with recognized industry practice. Based on our evaluation we estimated an inventory allowance of $50,000 and $0 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method and an estimated useful life of three years. Expenses for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. 

The following table presents property and equipment as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

	March 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Computers	$	16,489		$	16,489
Equipment		190,748			190,748
Vehicles		44,510			44,510
Total property and equipment		251,747			251,747
Less: accumulated depreciation		(28,408	)		(20,776	)
Total property and equipment, net	$	223,339		$	230,971

Depreciation expense related to property and equipment was as follows:

	Period Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
Depreciation	$	7,632	$	9,525

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are subject to amortization, and any impairment is determined in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment.” Intangible assets are stated at historical cost and amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company uses a straight-line method of amortization unless a method that better reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed or otherwise used up can be reliably determined. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there was no impairment.

Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets, including intangible assets with finite lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company uses an estimate of the undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of its long-lived assets, or related group of assets where applicable, in measuring whether the assets to be held and used will be realizable. Recoverability of assets held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount to the future undiscounted expected net cash flows to be generated by the asset. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no impairments.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities. Deposits with financial institutions are insured, up to certain limits, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company’s cash deposits often exceed the FDIC insurance limit; however, all deposits are maintained with high credit quality institutions and the Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The financial condition of financial institutions is periodically reassessed, and the Company believes the risk of any loss is minimal. Furthermore, we perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral.

Significant customers and suppliers are those that account for greater than 10% of the Company’s revenues and purchases.  One customer made up approximately 94% and 99% of revenue for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company purchased a substantial portion of manufacturing services from one third party vendor, Merrell Bros Fabrication, LLC (“Merrell Bros.”) (see Note 8).

Refer to Note 9 for a license agreement we have with Duke University for the SCWO technology used in our systems.

Revenue Recognition

The Company follows the revenue standards of Codification (ASC) Topic 606: “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The core principle of this Topic is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is recognized in accordance with that core principle by applying the following five steps: 1) identify the contracts with a customer; 2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; 3) determine the transaction price; 4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations; and 5) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation using the input method.

The Company generates revenue from the sale of equipment (AirSCWO units) and services, specifically the completion of treatability studies. In the case of equipment revenues, the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied over time over the life of the contract which are typically long-term fixed price contracts. Revenue is recognized over time by measuring the progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation using specific milestones. These milestones within the contract are assigned revenue recognition percentages, based on overall expected cost-plus margin estimates of those milestones compared to the total cost of the contract. Equipment sale related contract revenues are recognized in the proportion that contract costs incurred bear to total estimated costs. This method is used because management considers the input method to be the best available measure of progress on these contracts.

Changes in our overall expected cost estimates are recognized as a cumulative adjustment for the inception-to-date effective of such change. If these changes in estimates result in a possible loss being incurred on the contract, we accrue for such a loss in the period such an outcome becomes probable. 

Services revenues are recognized when all five revenue recognition criteria have been completed which is generally when we deliver a completed treatability study report to the customer.

Contract costs include all direct material, labor and subcontractor costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs, and depreciation. General, selling, and administrative costs are charged to expenses as incurred.

Revenues for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 in the amount of $296,096 was generated from the progress towards completion of the AirSCWO system and $19,182 was generated from the sale of treatability services.

Revenues for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 in the amount of $793,458 was generated from the sale of the AirSCWO system and $8,000 was generated from the sale of treatability services. 

Accrued Contract Loss Provision and Onerous Contracts

Onerous contracts are those where the costs to fulfill a contract exceed the consideration expected to be received under the contract. The revenue standard does not provide guidance on the accounting for onerous contracts or onerous performance obligations. US GAAP contains other applicable guidance on the accounting for onerous contracts, and those requirements should be used to identify and measure onerous contracts.

Our outstanding equipment manufacturing contract is a fixed price contract. Due to the nature of the contract, including customer specific equipment design, we applied ASC 605-35, Revenue Recognition—Provision for Losses on Construction-Type and Production-Type Contract (ASC 605-35). ASC 605-35 requires the recognition of a liability for anticipated losses on contracts prior to those losses being incurred when a loss is probable and can be estimated.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we evaluated the total costs incurred on this contract to date and the estimated costs we anticipate incurring to complete the contract.  Based on this analysis, we accrued a total accrued loss provision of $600,000 and $500,000 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which has been presented on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and is recorded within cost of revenues on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Stock-based Compensation and Change in Accounting Policy

The Company has accounted for stock-based compensation under the provisions of ASC Topic 718 – “Stock Compensation” which requires the use of the fair-value based method to determine compensation for all arrangements under which employees and others receive shares of stock or equity instruments (stock options and common stock purchase warrants). The fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model that uses assumptions for expected volatility, expected dividends, expected term, and the risk-free interest rate. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of peer companies and other factors estimated over the expected term of the stock options. The expected term of options granted is derived using the “simplified method” which computes expected term as the average of the sum of the vesting term plus the contract term. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the period of the expected term.

Prior to January 1, 2024, the Company had elected to estimate options granted for which the requisite service period would not be rendered, due to the option being forfeited or expiring. The forfeiture rate estimate was based on the percentage of cumulative forfeitures to the total award grants.  During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, we compared our actual forfeiture rate to our estimated forfeiture rate and made a cumulative adjustment of approximately $55,000 in the quarter ended December 31, 2023 to reduce our forfeiture rate estimate to approximately 5% of the total stock-based compensation recognized during the year. 

Effective January 1, 2024, the Company made a change in their accounting policy to recognize forfeitures on service-based stock award instruments as they occur.  Due to the lack of history available to adequately estimate our forfeiture rate and the fact that the majority of our serviced based options include a one-year cliff vesting and monthly vesting after, we believe recognizing forfeitures as they occur will result in more accurate financial reporting. The change in this accounting policy did not have a significant impact on the current or prior period financial statements. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no forfeitures occurred.

Income Tax Policy

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method prescribed by ASC 740 - Income Taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or loss in the period that includes the enactment date.

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

The Company follows the provisions of ASC Topic 740-10, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This topic also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. There were no uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Research And Development Costs

The Company’s research and development costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Such expenditures amounted to $535,147 and $355,905 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Loss Per Share

Loss per share is computed in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share” Basic weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the three- months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023  include the shares of the Company issued and outstanding during such periods, each on a weighted average basis. The basic weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding excludes common stock equivalent incremental shares, while diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding includes such incremental shares. However, as the Company was in a loss position for all periods presented, basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are the same, as the inclusion of the incremental shares would be anti-dilutive.  As of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, there were the following potentially dilutive securities that were excluded from diluted net loss per share because their effect would be antidilutive: options for 10,740,250 and 13,025,000  shares of common stock and 1,235,000 and 1,250,000 warrants, respectively.

Financial Instruments

The Company carries cash, accounts, unbilled and other receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses, at historical costs. The respective estimated fair values of these assets and liabilities approximate carrying values / useful lives of equipment and intangible assets due to their current nature.

Use Of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the accompanying financial statements include the fair value of equity-based compensation, service revenue, accrued contract loss provisions, and valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Not Yet Adopted

In December 2023 FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09). The ASU focuses on income tax disclosures around effective tax rates and cash income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 requires public business entities to disclose, on an annual basis, a rate reconciliation presented in both dollars and percentages. The guidance requires the rate reconciliation to include specific categories and provides further guidance on disaggregation of those categories based on a quantitative threshold equal to 5% or more of the amount determined by multiplying pretax income (loss) from continuing operations by the applicable statutory rate. For entities reconciling to the US statutory rate of 21%, this would generally require disclosing any reconciling items that impact the rate by 1.05% or more. ASU 2023-09 is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December  15, 2024 (generally, calendar year 2025) and effective for all other business entities one year later. Entities should adopt this guidance on a prospective basis, though retrospective application is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2023-09 is expected to have a financial statement disclosure impact only and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In November 2023 the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.  The ASU will now require public entities to disclose its significant segment expenses categories and amounts for each reportable segment. Under the ASU, a significant segment expense is an expense that is:

· significant to the segment,

· regularly provided to or easily computed from information regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM), and

· included in the reported measure of segment profit or loss.

The ASU is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 (calendar year public entity will adopt the ASU in its 2024 Form 10 K). The ASU should be adopted retrospectively unless it’s impracticable to do so. Early adoption of the ASU is permitted, including in an interim period. The adoption of ASU 2023-07 is expected to have a financial statement disclosure impact only and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all recently issued accounting pronouncements. Recent accounting pronouncements not specifically identified in our disclosures are either not applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.