Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Significant accounting estimates in these financial statements include valuation assumptions for share-based payments, allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivable, inventory reserves, accrual for warranty reserves, the carrying value of long-lived assets, income tax valuation allowances, the carrying value of cost basis investments, and the allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in our contracts with customers.

Customer Deposits

Customer Deposits

Customer deposits are recorded as a current liability under deferred revenue on the accompanying balance sheet and totaled $186,450 and $709,676 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Changes in deferred revenue amounts related to customer deposits will fluctuate from year to year based upon the mix of customers for the year and the Company’s backlog of open contracts. Customer deposits are considered a deferred liability until completion of the customer’s contract performance obligations. When revenue is recognized, the deposit is applied to customer’s receivable balance.

Customer Retainage

Customer Retainage

Customer retainage is recorded as a current liability under deferred revenue on the accompanying balance sheet and totaled $133,220 and $126,286 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Changes in deferred revenue amounts related to customer retainage will fluctuate from year to year based upon the customer’s contract completion date allowing the Company to invoice and recover the retainage.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”), which requires that equity investments, except for those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee, be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. This standard was adopted on January 1, 2018, including all interim reporting periods within the fiscal year. The Company recorded an impairment loss on its investment in TEC, f/k/a MREC, a related party, to fair value in 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 did not have a material impact on the financial statements. Upon adoption, the Company has elected to utilize the cost minus impairment approach as the investment in TEC does not have a readily determinable fair value as of the reporting date. See Note 6. Collaboration Agreement.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force),” to provide guidance on the presentation of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The amendments should be applied using a retrospective transition method, and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of 2016-18 did not have a material impact on the financial statement presentation.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-03, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (Topic 250). The ASU adds SEC disclosure requirements for both the quantitative and qualitative impacts that certain recently issued accounting standards will have on the financial statements of a registrant when such standards are adopted in a future period. Specially, these disclosure requirements apply to the adoption of ASU No. 2014- 09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606); ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842); and ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s revenue recognition.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, “Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets,” to clarify the scope of Subtopic 610-20, “Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets,” and to add guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. Subtopic 610-20, which was issued in May 2014 as a part of ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” provides guidance for recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets in contracts with noncustomers. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, which is the same time as the amendments in ASU No. 2014-09, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of 2017-05 did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting,” to provide clarity and reduce both (1) diversity in practice and (2) cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation,” to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The ASU provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in ASC 718. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The adoption of 2017-09 did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

In November 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-14 “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (SEC Update)”. The ASU amends SEC paragraphs pursuant to the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 116 and SEC Release No. 33-10403, which bring existing guidance into conformity with Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments were effective upon issuance. These amendments did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, accounts receivable, notes and interest receivables, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities. The fair value of financial instruments, except for long-term notes receivable, approximates their carrying values, using level 3 inputs, at December 31, 2018 and 2017 due to their short maturities. The fair value of the notes receivable approximates its carrying value, using level 3 inputs, at December 31, 2018.

Certificates of Deposit and Mutual Funds

Certificates of Deposit and Mutual Funds

The Company invests its excess cash in certificates of deposit and money market mutual funds issued by financial institutions with high credit ratings. The certificates of deposit generally have average maturities of approximately six months and are subject to penalties for early withdrawal. The money market mutual funds are open ended and can be withdrawn at any time without penalty.

Inventory

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost being determined on the average cost method. Work in progress and finished goods inventory includes an allocation for capitalized labor and overhead. The Company routinely evaluates the carrying value of inventory for slow moving and potentially obsolete inventory and, when appropriate, will record an adjustment to reduce inventory to its estimated net realizable value. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, inventory reserves were $105,031.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost, net of depreciation. Gains or losses related to retirements or disposition of fixed assets are recognized in operations in the period incurred. Costs of normal repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred, while betterments or renewals are capitalized. Depreciation commences at the time the assets are placed in service. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated economic lives of the assets or for leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the remaining lease term, which are summarized as follows:

Computer equipment		3-5 years
Furniture and office equipment		5-7 years
Machinery and equipment		5-7 years
Leasehold improvements		7 years

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

Costs associated with advertising are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $762,658 and $866,275 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These costs include domestic and international tradeshows, website, and sales promotional materials.

Legal Costs

Legal Costs

Legal costs relating to loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company calculates a provision for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by identifying the temporary differences arising from the different treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. In determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns, judgment and interpretation of statutes are required.

In assessing realizable deferred tax assets, management assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, and to the extent that recovery is not likely or there is insufficient operating history, a valuation allowance is established. The Company adjusts the valuation allowance in the period management determines it is more likely than not that net deferred tax assets will or will not be realized. As of December 31, 2017, the Company reversed all previously recorded valuation allowances. As of December 31, 2018, after review of the deferred tax asset and valuation allowance in accordance with ASC 740, management determined that it is more likely than not that the Company will fully realize all of its deferred tax asset and no valuation allowance was needed.

As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, the Company did not recognize any assets or liabilities relative to uncertain tax positions. Interest or penalties, if any, will be recognized in income tax expense. Since there are no significant unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken, there are no accrued penalties or interest. Tax positions are positions taken in a previously filed tax return or positions expected to be taken in a future tax return that are reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities reported in the financial statements.

The Company reflects tax benefits, only if it is more likely than not that the Company will be able to sustain the tax return position, based on its technical merits. If a tax benefit meets this criterion, it is measured and recognized based on the largest amount of benefit that is cumulatively greater than 50% likely to be realized. Management does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2018 or 2017.

The Company is potentially subject to tax audits for its United States federal and Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Idaho, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia state income and excise tax returns for tax years between 2014 and 2018; however, earlier years may be subject to audit under certain circumstances. Tax audits by their very nature are often complex and can require several years to complete.

Stock Based Compensation

Stock Based Compensation

The Company measures the cost of awards of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the awards. The Company calculates the fair value of stock-based awards using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing valuation model, which incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected term and risk-free interest rates. There were no grants of stock-based awards during the year ended December 31, 2018. The assumptions used for options granted during the year ended December 31, 2017, and the resulting estimates of weighted-average fair value per share of options granted during this period, are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31, 2017
Expected dividend yield		0%
Expected volatility		95% to 147%
Risk-free interest rate		1-2%
Expected term		7 years
Weighted average grant date fair value		$1.94

The expected term of the options is the estimated period of time until exercise and was determined using the SEC’s safe harbor rules, using an average of vesting and contractual terms, as we did not have sufficient historical experience of similar awards. The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield available on United States Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term. The Company has not paid dividends in the past and does not plan to pay any dividends in the near future. The estimated fair value of stock-based compensation awards and other options is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the relevant vesting period. As share-based compensation expense recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur rather than estimating them at the time of grant.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02). Under ASU No. 2016-2, an entity will be required to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. ASU No. 2016-02 offers specific accounting guidance for a lessee, a lessor and sale and leaseback transactions. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising for leases. For public companies, ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, and requires a modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt the new standard and the related amendments on its effective date of January 1, 2019. We anticipate adoption of the standard will add approximately $400,000 in right-of-use assets and lease liabilities to our balance sheet and will not significantly impact retained earnings. We will elect the practical expedients upon transition that will retain the lease classification and initial direct costs for any leases that exist prior to adoption of the standard. We will not reassess whether any contracts entered into prior to adoption are leases.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements,” which provides another transition method in addition to the existing transition method by allowing entities to initially apply the new leases standard at the adoption date (such as January 1, 2019, for calendar-year-end public business entities) and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption consistent with preparers’ requests. This additional transition method changes only “when” an entity is required to initially apply the transition requirements of the new lease standard; it does not change “how” those requirements apply. For entities that have not adopted Topic 842 before the issuance of this ASU, the effective date and transition requirements for the amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in ASU 2016-02. The Company does not expect 2018-11 to have a material impact on the financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), which provides guidance on measuring credit losses on financial instruments. The amended guidance replaces current incurred loss impairment methodology of recognizing credit losses when a loss is probable with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to assess credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for us on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. The Company is assessing what effect the provisions of 2016-13 will have on the financial statements.

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11 – “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)” I. Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features and II. Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception. Part I applies to entities that issue financial instruments such as warrants, convertible debt or convertible preferred stock that contain down round features. Part II simply replaces the indefinite deferral for certain mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests and mandatorily redeemable financial instruments of nonpublic entities contained within Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 480 with a scope exception and does not impact the accounting for these mandatorily redeemable instruments. This ASU is effective for public companies for the annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect 2017-11 will have a material impact on its financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting” to simplify the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions resulting from expanding the scope of Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The amendments also clarify that Topic 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under Topic 606, Revenue from Contract with Customers. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect 2018-07 to have a material impact on the financial statements.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606, which clarifies that certain transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under ASC 606 when the counterparty is a customer. In addition, Topic 808 precludes an entity from presenting consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of 2018-18 on its financial statements.