10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 ______________

FORM 10-Q

______________

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2013

OR

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______________________ TO _______________________

Mechanical Technology, Incorporated

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

______________

New York	0-6890	14-1462255
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

325 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, New York 12205

(Address of registrant’s principal executive office)

(518) 218-2550

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x  No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  x  No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨     Accelerated filer  ¨  Non-accelerated filer  ¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12B-2 of the Act). Yes ¨Nox

The number of shares of common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, outstanding as of May 1, 2013 was 5,256,883.

MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION	2
Item 1. Financial Statements	2
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2013 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2012	2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012 and Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)	4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012	5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	15
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	19
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures	20
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION	21
Item 1.        Legal Proceedings	21
Item 1A.    Risk Factors	21
Item 2.       Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	21
Item 3.       Defaults Upon Senior Securities	21
Item 4.       Mine Safety Disclosures	21
Item 5.       Other Information	21
Item 6.       Exhibits	21
SIGNATURES	23

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Mechanical Technology, Incorporated and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2013 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2012

(Dollars in thousands, except per share)	March 31,			December 31,
	2013			2012
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash	$	933		$	289
Accounts receivable		892			1,674
Inventories		914			1,118
Deferred income taxes, net		15			16
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		92			100
Total Current Assets		2,846			3,197
Deferred income taxes, net		1,520			1,519
Property, plant and equipment, net		146			129
Total Assets	$	4,512		$	4,845
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	465		$	208
Accrued liabilities		898			1,048
Deferred revenue		80			591
Total Current Liabilities		1,443			1,847
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)
Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, authorized 75,000,000; 6,261,975 issued in both 2013 and 2012		63			63
Additional paid-in capital		135,566			135,561
Accumulated deficit		(122,097	)		(122,183	)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 1,005,092 shares in both 2013 and 2012		(13,754	)		(13,754	)
Total MTI stockholders’ deficit		(222	)		(313	)
Non-controlling interest		3,291			3,311
Total Equity		3,069			2,998
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	4,512		$	4,845

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

Mechanical Technology, Incorporated and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

(Dollars in thousands, except per share)	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2013		2012
Product revenue	$	2,200	$	1,204
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenue		976		578
Unfunded research and product development expenses		340		373
Selling, general and administrative expenses		819		1,092
Operating income (loss)		65		(839	)
Other income, net		—		3
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest		65		(836	)
Income tax benefit		1		—
Net income (loss)		66		(836	)
Plus: Net loss attributed to non-controlling interest		20		14
Net income (loss) attributed to MTI	$	86	$	(822	)
Income (loss) per share attributable to MTI (Basic and Diluted)	$	0.02	$	(0.16	)
Weighted average shares outstanding (Basic and Diluted)		5,256,883		5,254,883

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
and the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

	Common Stock								Treasury Stock
	Shares	Amount		Additional Paid- in Capital		Accumulated Deficit			Shares	Amount			Total MTI  Stockholders’ Equity  (Deficit)			Non-Controlling Interest (NCI)				Total Equity
January 1, 2012	6,259,975	$	63	$	135,389	$	(120,097	)	1,005,092	$	(13,754	)	$	1,601		$	3,314		$		4,915
Net loss attributed to MTI	-		-		-		(2,086	)	-		-			(2,086	)		-				(2,086	)
Stock based compensation	-		-		171		-		-		-			171			-				171
Issuance of shares – common stock	2,000		-		1		-		-		-			1			-				1
Net loss attributed to NCI	-		-		-		-		-		-			-			(3	)			(3	)
December 31, 2012	6,261,975	$	63	$	135,561	$	(122,183	)	1,005,092	$	(13,754	)	$	(313	)	$	3,311		$		2,998
Net income attributed to MTI	-		-		-		86		-		-			86			-				86
Stock based compensation	-		-		5		-		-		-			5			-				5
Net loss attributed to NCI	-		-		-		-		-		-			-			(20	)			(20	)
March 31, 2013	6,261,975	$	63	$	135,566	$	(122,097	)	1,005,092	$	(13,754	)	$	(222	)	$	3,291		$		3,069

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$	66		$	(836	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		24			38
Gain on disposal of equipment		—			(5	)
Stock based compensation		5			58
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		782			1,220
Inventories		204			(50	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		8			18
Accounts payable		257			(14	)
Deferred revenue		(511	)		—
Accrued liabilities		(150	)		(119	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		685			310
Investing Activities
Purchases of equipment		(41	)		(3	)
Proceeds from sale of equipment		—			2
Net cash used in investing activities		(41	)		(1	)
Increase in cash		644			309
Cash – beginning of period		289			1,669
Cash – end of period	$	933		$	1,978

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.             Nature of Operations

Description of Business

Mechanical Technology, Incorporated (MTI or the Company), a New York corporation, was incorporated in 1961. MTI operates in two segments, the Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment, which is conducted through MTI Instruments, Incorporated (MTI Instruments), a wholly-owned subsidiary, and the New Energy segment, which is conducted through MTI MicroFuel Cells Incorporated (MTI Micro), a variable interest entity (VIE) that is included in these condensed consolidated financial statements and described further below in Note 2.

MTI Instruments was incorporated in New York on March 8, 2000 and is a worldwide supplier of precision non-contact physical measurement solutions, portable balancing equipment and wafer inspection tools. MTI Instruments’ products use a comprehensive array of technologies to solve complex, real world applications in numerous industries including manufacturing, semiconductor, solar, commercial and military aviation, automotive and data storage. MTI Instruments’ products consist of electronic gauging instruments for position, displacement and vibration application within the design, manufacturing/production, test and research market; wafer characterization of semi-insulating and semi-conducting wafers within both the semiconductor and solar industries; tensile stage systems for materials testing at academic and industrial settings; and engine vibration analysis systems for both military and commercial aircraft.

MTI Micro was incorporated in Delaware on March 26, 2001, and, until its operations were suspended in late 2011, had been developing Mobion^®, a handheld energy-generating device to replace current lithium-ion and similar rechargeable battery systems in many handheld electronic devices for the military and consumer markets. Although MTI Micro continues to believe in the potential of its Mobion^® based power solutions, operations continue to remain suspended at MTI Micro until such time as market demand and other deciding factors, including obtaining additional external financing, the successful completion of customer trials, a new development program with a government agency, and/or a customer order, come to fruition. MTI Micro will continue to seek additional capital from external sources to resume operations and fund future development, as warranted. If MTI Micro is unable to secure additional financing, a new development program or customer order, the MTI Micro Board of Directors will assess other options for MTI Micro, including the sale of its intellectual property portfolio and/or remaining assets. As of March 31, 2013, the Company owned approximately 47.6% of MTI Micro’s outstanding common stock.

Liquidity

The Company has incurred significant losses primarily due to its past efforts to fund MTI Micro’s direct methanol fuel cell product development and commercialization programs, and has an accumulated deficit of approximately $122.1 million and working capital of approximately $1.4 million at March 31, 2013. The Company suspended operations at MTI Micro in late 2011.

The Company restructured the operations of the Company during the second half of 2012, which included the departure of its then CEO, staffing adjustments to its MTI Instrument’s sales force and reduction in MTI Instrument’s production and development personnel.

This restructuring is expected to yield cash flow savings of approximately $1.0 million annually.  Based on the Company’s projected cash requirements for operations and capital expenditures for 2013, its current available cash of approximately $933 thousand, the $400 thousand available from its existing line of credit at MTI Instruments, current cash flow requirements and revenue and expense projections, management believes it will have adequate resources to fund operations and capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months.

However, the Company may need to do one or more of the following to raise additional resources, or reduce its cash requirements:

1)       Reduce its current expenditure run rate;

2)       Defer its capital expenditures;

3)       Defer its hiring plans; and

4)       Secure additional debt or equity financing.

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There is no guarantee that such resources will be available to the Company on terms acceptable to it, or at all, or that such resources will be received in a timely manner, if at all, or that the Company will be able to reduce its expenditure run-rate, defer its capital expenditures or hiring plans without materially and adversely effecting its business.

2.             Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented in accordance with United States of America Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q in Article 10 of the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) Regulation S-X.  The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The information presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. All other information has been derived from the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MTI Instruments and its VIE, MTI Micro. The Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE.  All inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company reflects the impact of the equity securities issuances in its investment in a VIE and additional paid-in-capital accounts for the dilution or anti-dilution of its ownership interest in the VIE.

The Company has performed an analysis under the VIE model and determined that MTI Micro is a VIE. One of the criteria for determining whether an entity is a VIE is determining if the entity, MTI Micro, has equity at risk. Management has concluded that MTI Micro does not have equity at risk to fund operations into its next phase of development. Further, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of MTI Micro, and therefore should include MTI Micro’s results of operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

The Company's analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of MTI Micro focused primarily on determining which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that would have the most significant impact on the financial performance of MTI Micro. MTI Micro is governed by its own board of directors and significant decisions are determined by a majority vote of this board. MTI does not have control of the MTI Micro board of directors; however, at this time, the Company’s board of directors and the MTI Micro board of directors consist of the same members. Under the Articles of Incorporation of MTI Micro, each share of MTI Micro stock is entitled to a vote, and further, holders of a majority of the shares of MTI Micro's common stock have the ability to reconstitute the board. As of March 31, 2013, MTI, Counter Point Ventures Fund II, LP (Counter Point) and Dr. Walter L. Robb, a member of the Company’s and MTI Micro’s board of directors own 47.6%, 45.2% and 5.1% of the common shares of MTI Micro, respectively. Counter Point is a venture capital fund sponsored and managed by Dr. Robb. Since no entity of the related parties has power but, as a group, the Company and its related parties have the power, then the party within the related party group that is most closely associated with the VIE, MTI Micro, is the primary beneficiary. Even though Dr. Robb and Counterpoint combined control a majority of the outstanding common stock, and they have the ability to elect the directors of MTI Micro and decide whether to continue to seek business opportunities for MTI Micro or instead seek opportunities to sell the intellectual property, they have not elected to do so. The Company continues to oversee the day to day operations, exercise management decision making, seek opportunities to sell intellectual property, and has a vested interest in the commercialization of MTI Micro’s fuel cell technology. Since inception in 2001, the Company has made the largest investment and been the principal funder of MTI Micro. The Company has also been exposed to losses and has the ability to benefit from MTI Micro. Considering the facts and circumstances, management believes the Company is most closely associated with the VIE, MTI Micro, and therefore, it is the primary beneficiary.   

Should there be a change in the facts and circumstances (such as undertaking additional activities, a change in governance or a change to the related party group) in the future, management will reassess whether the Company remains the primary beneficiary and should continue to consolidate MTI Micro in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  

Non-controlling interests (NCI) are classified as equity in the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated statement of operations presents net income (loss) for both the Company and the non-controlling interests. The calculation of earnings per share is based on net income (loss) attributable to the Company.

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3.             Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivables consist of the following at:

(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
U.S. and State Government	$	212	$	874
Commercial		680		800
Total	$	892	$	1,674

For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the largest commercial customer represented 8.1% and 14.6%, respectively, and a U.S. governmental agency represented 30.7% and 11.5%, respectively, of the Company’s Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment product revenue. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the largest commercial customer represented 11.5% and 9.7%, respectively, and a U.S. governmental agency represented 0.4% and 51.3%, respectively, of the Company’s Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment accounts receivable. 

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding receivables for the New Energy segment.

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had no allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable. 

4.             Inventories

Inventories consist of the following at:

(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Finished goods	$	295	$	265
Work in process		266		482
Raw materials		353		371
Total	$	914	$	1,118

5.             Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following at:

(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
Leasehold improvements	$	954	$		954
Computers and related software		1,750			1,709
Machinery and equipment		1,390			1,390
Office furniture and fixtures		271			271
		4,365			4,324
Less: Accumulated depreciation		4,219			4,195
	$	146	$		129

Depreciation expense was $24 thousand and $129 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. In conjunction with the suspension of MTI Micro operations in late 2011, sales of certain surplus equipment on hand were made during 2012. This resulted in a net gain on sale of $130 thousand. As of December 31, 2012, all $143 thousand in sales proceeds have been received.  

 8

6.             Income Taxes

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company’s effective income tax rate was 0%. The projected annual effective tax rate is less than the Federal statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to the current estimates of projected annual taxable income and potential use of net operating losses. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company’s effective income tax rate was also 0%.

The Company provides for recognition of deferred tax assets if the realization of such assets is more likely than not to occur in accordance with accounting standards that address income taxes. Significant management judgment is required in determining the period in which the reversal of a valuation allowance should occur. The Company has considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, such as historical levels of income and future forecasts of taxable income amongst other items, in determining our valuation allowance. In addition, the Company’s assessment requires us to schedule future taxable income in accordance with accounting standards that address income taxes to assess the appropriateness of a valuation allowance which further requires the exercise of significant management judgment.

As a result of our analyses in 2011, the Company released a portion of our valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. The partial release of the valuation allowance caused an incremental tax benefit of $1.5 million that was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2011. The release of a portion of the valuation allowance was based upon a recent cumulative income history for MTI and its subsidiary exclusive of MTI Micro (MTI Micro files separate federal and state tax returns) causing the Company to evaluate what portion of the Company's deferred tax assets it believes are more likely than not to be realized. The Company has determined that it continues to expect to generate sufficient levels of pre-tax earnings in the future to realize the net deferred tax assets recorded on the balance sheet at March 31, 2013. The Company has projected such pre-tax earnings utilizing a combination of historical and projected results, taking into consideration existing levels of permanent differences, non-deductible expense and the reversal of significant temporary differences.  The Company needs to generate approximately $225 thousand of taxable income in each year over the next twenty years to ensure the realizability of the approximately $1.5 million of deferred tax assets recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2013.

The Company believes that the accounting estimate for the valuation of deferred tax assets is a critical accounting estimate, because judgment is required in assessing the likely future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. The Company based the estimate of deferred tax assets and liabilities on current tax laws and rates and, in certain cases, business plans and other expectations about future outcomes. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or the Company adjusts these estimates in future periods, the Company may need to adjust the recorded valuation allowance, which could materially impact our financial position and results of operations. The valuation allowance was $17.7 million at March 31, 2013 and $17.8 million at December 31, 2012, respectively. The Company will continue to evaluate the ability to realize its deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances on a quarterly basis.

7.             Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

The Company has one class of common stock, par value $.01.  Each share of the Company’s common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to stockholders.  As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were 5,256,883 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

Changes in common shares issued and treasury stock outstanding are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013	Year Ended December  31, 2012
Common Shares
Balance, beginning	6,261,975	6,259,975
Issuance of shares for common stock grants	—	2,000
Balance, ending	6,261,975	6,261,975
Treasury Stock
Balance, beginning	1,005,092	1,005,092
Balance, ending	1,005,092	1,005,092

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Reservation of Shares

The Company had reserved common shares for future issuance as follows as of March 31, 2013:

Stock options outstanding	293,119
Common stock available for future equity awards or issuance of options	437,500
Number of common shares reserved	730,619

Earnings (Loss) per Share

The Company computes basic income (loss) per common share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted income (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution, if any, computed by dividing income (loss) by the combination of dilutive common share equivalents, comprised of shares issuable under outstanding investment rights, warrants and the Company’s share-based compensation plans, and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Dilutive common share equivalents include the dilutive effect of in-the-money stock options, which are calculated based on the average share price for each period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the exercise price of a stock option, the amount of compensation cost, if any, for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of windfall tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital, if any, when the stock option is exercised are assumed to be used to repurchase shares in the current period.

Not included in the computation of earnings per share, assuming dilution, for the three months ended March 31, 2013, were options to purchase 293,119 shares of the Company’s common stock. These potentially dilutive items were excluded because the average market price of the common stock did not exceed the exercise prices of the options for this period.

Not included in the computation of loss per share, assuming dilution, for the three months ended March 31, 2012, were options to purchase 778,046 shares of the Company’s common stock. These potentially dilutive items were excluded because the Company incurred a loss for this period and their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

8.             Issuance of Common Stock, Warrants and Stock Options by MTI Micro

As of March 31, 2013, the Company owned approximately 47.6% of MTI Micro’s outstanding common stock, or 75,049,937 shares, and 53.3% of common stock and warrants issued, which includes 32,904,136 outstanding warrants. The number of shares of MTI Micro common stock authorized for issuance is 240,000,000 as of March 31, 2013.

Common Stock – MTI Micro

The following table represents changes in ownership between the Company and non-controlling interests (NCI) in common shares of MTI Micro:

		MTI		Non Controlling Interest (NCI)
	Average Price	Shares	Ownership %	Shares	Ownership %	Total Shares
Balance at 12/31/12	$0.07	75,049,937	47.61	82,573,107	52.39	157,623,044
Balance at 3/31/13	$0.07	75,049,937	47.61	82,573,107	52.39	157,623,044

Warrants Issued – MTI Micro

On December 9, 2009, MTI Micro issued warrants to the then current shareholders of MTI Micro, including the Company, without consideration, to purchase 32,779,310 shares of MTI Micro Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The warrants became exercisable on December 9, 2010 and expire on December 8, 2017. The warrants have been accounted for as an equity distribution of $2.0 million, including warrants to the Company with a value of $2.0 million, which were eliminated in consolidation.

On December 9, 2009, MTI Micro issued warrants to the Bridge Investors of MTI Micro, including the Company, to purchase 5,081,237 shares of MTI Micro Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The MTI Micro Warrants became exercisable on December 9, 2009 and will expire on the earlier of: (i) April 15, 2014; (ii) immediately prior to a change in control; or (iii) immediately prior to an initial public offering of MTI Micro. The MTI Micro Warrants were issued without consideration and were accounted for as equity and a loss on extinguishment of debt was recorded in the amount of $289 thousand, including warrants to the Company with a value of $57 thousand, which were eliminated in consolidation.

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Under the Purchase Agreement entered into on January 11, 2010, MTI Micro issued 5,714,286 MTI Micro Warrants to Counter Point to purchase shares of MTI Micro Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The MTI Micro Warrants became exercisable on the date of issuance and will expire on the earlier of: (a) the five (5) year anniversary of the Date of Issuance of the Warrant; (b) immediately prior to a change in control; or (c) the closing of a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act. The MTI Micro Warrants were accounted for as equity.

Under Amendment No. 1 entered into on February 9, 2011, MTI Micro issued 1,285,715 MTI Micro Warrants to Counter Point to purchase shares of MTI Micro Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The MTI Micro Warrants became exercisable on the date of issuance and will expire on the earlier of: (a) the five (5) year anniversary of the Date of Issuance of the Warrant; (b) immediately prior to a change in control; or (c) the closing of a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act. The MTI Micro Warrants were accounted for as equity.

Under Amendment No. 2 entered into on September 23, 2011, MTI Micro issued 240,000 MTI Micro Warrants to Counter Point to purchase shares of MTI Micro Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The MTI Micro Warrants became exercisable on the date of issuance and will expire on the earlier of: (a) the five (5) year anniversary of the Date of Issuance of the Warrant; (b) immediately prior to a change in control; or (c) the closing of a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act. The MTI Micro Warrants were accounted for as equity.

Reservation of Shares

MTI Micro has reserved common shares for future issuance, broken down between the Company and NCI, as follows as of March 31, 2013:

	MTI	NCI	Total
Stock options outstanding	—	1,140,240	1,140,240
Warrants outstanding	32,904,136	12,196,411	45,100,547
Number of shares reserved for outstanding options and warrants	32,904,136	13,336,651	46,240,787

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, there were 389,800 option cancellations.  MTI Micro has 36,861,760 stock options available for issuance as of March 31, 2013.

As of March 31, 2013, the Company owned an aggregate of approximately 47.6% of the outstanding shares of MTI Micro or 53.3% of the outstanding common stock and warrants issued of MTI Micro, and Counter Point and Dr. Robb owned approximately 45.2% and 5.1%, respectively of the outstanding shares of MTI Micro or 40.3% and 4.3%, respectively of the outstanding common stock and warrants issued of MTI Micro.

9.             Fair Value Measurement

The Company performs a detailed analysis of financial assets and liabilities in determining the appropriate levels of classification. At each reporting period, all assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurements are based upon significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3. The Company had no Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

10.           Segment Information

The Company operates in two business segments, Test and Measurement Instrumentation and New Energy. The Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment designs, manufactures, markets and services high performance test and measurement instruments and systems, wafer characterization tools for the semiconductor and solar industries, tensile stage systems for materials testing at academic and industrial settings, and computer-based balancing systems for aircraft engines. The New Energy segment is focused on commercializing direct methanol fuel cells. The Company’s principal operations are located in North America.

The accounting policies of the Test and Measurement Instrumentation and New Energy segments are similar to those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Note 2). The Company evaluates performance based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes. Inter-segment sales and expenses are not significant.

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Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following tables. The “Other” column includes corporate related items and items such as income taxes or unusual items, which are not allocated to reportable segments. The “Reconciling Items” column includes non-controlling interests in a consolidated entity. In addition, segments’ non-cash items include any depreciation in reported profit or loss. The New Energy segment figures include the Company’s direct micro fuel cell operations.  As a result of the suspension of the MTI Micro operations in late 2011, the New Energy segment will continue to be included in these tables as long as they remain in our consolidated operations. 

(Dollars in thousands)	Test and Measurement Instrumentation		New Energy			Other			Reconciling Items		Condensed Consolidated Totals
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Product revenue	$	2,200	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	2,200
Unfunded research and product development expenses		340		—			—			—		340
Selling, general and administrative expenses		509		24			286			—		819
Segment profit (loss) from operations before non-controlling interest		254		(38	)		(150	)		—		66
Segment profit (loss)		254		(38	)		(150	)		20		86
Total assets		1,983		85			2,444			—		4,512
Capital expenditures		41		—			—			—		41
Depreciation		21		3			—			—		24

(Dollars in thousands)	Test and Measurement Instrumentation			New Energy			Other		Reconciling Items			Condensed Consolidated Totals
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Product revenue	$	1,204		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	1,204
Unfunded research and product development expenses (income)		374			(1	)		—			—		373
Selling, general and administrative expenses		518			37			537			—		1,092
Segment loss from operations before non-controlling interest		(478	)		(28	)		(330	)		—		(836	)
Segment (loss) profit		(478	)		(28	)		(330	)		14		(822	)
Total assets		1,833			85			3,573			—		5,491
Capital expenditures		3			—			—			—		3
Depreciation		25			13			—			—		38

The following table presents the details of “Other” segment loss:

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013		2012
Corporate and other (expenses) income:
Salaries and benefits	$	(78)	$	(352)
Other (expense) income, net		(73)		22
Income tax benefit		1		—
Total “Other” segment loss	$	(150)	$	(330)

11.          Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments:

Leases

The Company and its subsidiary lease certain manufacturing, laboratory and office facilities. The leases generally provide for the Company to pay either an increase over a base year level for taxes, maintenance, insurance and other costs of the leased properties or the Company’s allocated share of insurance, taxes, maintenance and other costs of leased properties. The leases contain renewal provisions.

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Future minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) are (dollars in thousands): $212 thousand remaining in 2013 and $263 thousand in 2014. 

Warranties

Product warranty liabilities are included in “Accrued liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Below is a reconciliation of changes in product warranty liabilities:

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Balance, January 1	$	20		$	26
Accruals for warranties issued		7			3
Settlements made (in cash or in kind)		(5	)		(3	)
Balance, end of period	$	22		$	26

Licenses

Under a 2002 NYSERDA contract, MTI Micro agreed to pay NYSERDA a royalty of 5.0% of the sales price of any product sold incorporating IP developed pursuant to the NYSERDA contract. If the product is manufactured by a New York State manufacturer, this royalty is reduced to 1.5%. Total royalties are subject to a cap equal to two times the total contract funds paid by NYSERDA to MTI Micro, and may be reduced to reflect any New York State jobs created by MTI Micro. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there are no amounts accrued in the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to this royalty provision.

Under the 2010 NYSERDA contract, MTI Micro agreed to pay NYSERDA a royalty of 5.0% of the sales price of any product sold incorporating IP developed pursuant to the NYSERDA contract. The obligation commences on the first date of the first sale of these products and is in place for fifteen years. Total royalties are subject to a cap equal to three times the total contract funds paid by NYSERDA to MTI Micro. However, if the product is manufactured by a New York State manufacturer, this royalty is reduced to 1.5% and total royalties are subject to a cap equal to one times the total contract funds paid by NYSERDA to MTI Micro. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there are no amounts accrued in the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to this royalty provision.

Employment Agreement

The Company has an employment agreement with one employee that provides certain payments upon termination of employment under certain circumstances, as defined in the applicable agreement. As of March 31, 2013, the Company’s potential minimum obligation to this employee was approximately $59 thousand. 

Contingencies:

Legal

We are subject to legal proceedings, claims and liabilities which arise in the ordinary course of business. We accrue for losses associated with legal claims when such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. These accruals are adjusted as additional information becomes available or circumstances change. Legal fees are charged to expense as they are incurred.

12.          Line of Credit

On September 20, 2011, MTI Instruments entered into a working capital line of credit with First Niagara Bank, N.A.  Pursuant to the Demand Grid Note, MTI Instruments may borrow from time to time up to $400 thousand to support its working capital needs. The note is payable upon demand, and the interest rate on the note is equal to the prime rate with a floor of 4.0% per annum. The note is secured by a lien on all of the assets of MTI Instruments and is guaranteed by the Company. The line of credit was renewed on May 7, 2012. The line of credit is subject to a review date of June 30, 2013. Under the line of credit, MTI Instruments is required to hold a line balance of $0 for 30 consecutive days out during each consecutive year.  As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding under the line of credit. 

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13.          Stock Based Compensation

The Mechanical Technology Incorporated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2012 Plan) was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on April 14, 2012 and approved by stockholders on June 14, 2012. The 2012 Plan provides an initial aggregate number of 600,000 shares of common stock which may be awarded or issued. The number of shares which may be awarded under the 2012 Plan and awards outstanding can be subject to adjustment on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split and other dilutive changes in Common Stock. Under the 2012 Plan, the Board of Directors is authorized to issue stock options (incentive and nonqualified), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries. Incentive stock options may only be granted to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

During 2012, the Company granted 2,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from the 2006 Plan, which immediately vested and the stock was issued to the holder. The shares were granted from the 2006 Plan before the 2012 Plan was approved by the shareholders. The fair value of this grant was $0.31 per share and was based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. 

During 2012, the Company granted 224,500 options to purchase the Company’s common stock from the 2012 Plan, which generally vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of the award. The exercise price of these grants was $0.29 per share and was based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the dates of grant. Using a Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, the weighted average fair value of these options was $0.27 per share and was estimated at the date of grant.  During   2012, 62,000 options of the 2012 grants were cancelled before vesting occurred.

14.          New Accounting Pronouncements

There are no recently issued accounting standards or standards with pending adoptions that the Company’s management currently anticipates will have any material impact upon its financial statements.

15.       Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events and transactions through the date of this filing for potential recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements and has noted the following:

The Company has appointed Kevin G. Lynch as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective May 1, 2013. Mr. Lynch had served as the Acting Chief Executive Officer, in an advisory role, since September 12, 2012. In connection with his permanent appointment, Mr. Lynch will receive an annual base salary of $260 thousand and will be eligible for annual bonus of up to $200 thousand based upon achieving milestones as established by the Board of Directors. Mr. Lynch will also receive options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price based on the closing market price of $0.46 per share on the date of grant. 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Mechanical Technology, Incorporated, a New York Corporation, “MTI Instruments” refers to MTI Instruments, Incorporated, a New York corporation and our wholly owned subsidiary, and “MTI Micro” refers to MTI MicroFuel Cells Incorporated, a Delaware corporation and variable interest entity that is included in these consolidated results. MTI Micro has a registered trademark in the United States for “Mobion.” Other trademarks, trade names, and service marks used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are the property of their respective owners.

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 contained in our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In addition to historical information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements, which involve risk and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ include those set forth in Part I Item 1A-Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, as filed on March 21, 2013. Readers should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made and are not guarantees of future performance. Except as may be required by applicable law, we do not undertake or intend to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

MTI operates in two segments: the Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment, which is conducted through MTI Instruments, Incorporated (MTI Instruments), a wholly-owned subsidiary, and the New Energy segment, which is conducted through MTI MicroFuel Cells, Incorporated (MTI Micro), a variable interest entity (VIE) as of March 31, 2013. MTI and MTI Micro currently share the same board of directors, while MTI also continues to oversee the day to day operations, exercise management decision making, seek opportunities to sell intellectual property, and have a vested interest in the commercialization of MTI Micro’s fuel cell technology. Since inception in 2001, MTI has made the largest investment and been the principal funder of MTI Micro. MTI has also been exposed to losses and has the ability to benefit from MTI Micro. Considering the facts and circumstances, management believes MTI is most closely associated with the VIE, MTI Micro, and therefore, it is the primary beneficiary. Should there be a change in the facts and circumstances (such as a change in governance or a change to the related party group) management will reassess whether MTI remains the primary beneficiary and should continue to consolidate MTI Micro in MTI’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Test and Measurement Segment – MTI Instruments is a worldwide supplier of metrology, portable balancing equipment and inspection systems. Our products use state-of-the-art technology to solve complex real world applications in numerous industries including automotive, semiconductor, solar cell manufacturing, material testing, commercial and military aviation and data storage. We are continuously working on ways to expand our sales reach, including expanded sales coverage throughout Europe and Asia, as well as a focus on internet marketing. 

Our test and measurement segment has three product groups: Precision Instruments, Semiconductor and Solar Metrology Systems, and Balancing Systems. Our products consist of electronic, computerized gauging instruments for position, displacement and vibration applications for the design, manufacturing/production and test and research markets; metrology tools for wafer characterization of semiconductor and solar wafers; tensile stage systems for materials testing in research and industrial settings; and engine balancing and vibration analysis systems for both military and commercial aircraft.

New Energy Segment – Until its operations were suspended in late 2011, MTI Micro had been developing an off-the-grid power solutions for various portable electronic devices. Our patented proprietary direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) technology platform, called Mobion^®, converts methanol fuel to usable electricity capable of providing continuous power as long as necessary fuel flows are maintained. Our proprietary fuel cell power solution consists of two primary components integrated into an easily manufactured device: the DMFC power engine, which we refer to as our Mobion^® Chip, and methanol fuel cartridges. Our current Mobion^® Chip is small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand. The methanol used by the technology is fully biodegradable.

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Although MTI Micro continues to believe in the potential of its Mobion^® based power solutions, operations have been suspended since late 2011 at MTI Micro until such time as market demand and other deciding factors, including obtaining additional external financing, the successful completion of customer trials, a new development program with a government agency, and/or a customer order come to fruition. MTI Micro will continue to seek additional capital from external sources to resume operations and fund future development, as warranted. If MTI Micro is unable to secure additional financing, a new development program or customer order, the MTI Micro board of directors will assess other options for MTI Micro, including the sale of its intellectual property portfolio and/or remaining assets.

Recent Developments

The Company has appointed Kevin G. Lynch as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective May 1, 2013. Mr. Lynch had served as the Acting Chief Executive Officer, in an advisory role, since September 12, 2012. In connection with his permanent appointment, Mr. Lynch will receive an annual base salary of $260 thousand and will be eligible for annual bonus of up to $200 thousand based upon achieving milestones as established by the Board of Directors. Mr. Lynch will also receive options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price based on the closing market price of $0.46 per share on the date of grant. 

Results of Operations

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012.

Test and Measurement Instrumentation Segment

Product Revenue. Product revenue in our Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013 increased by $996 thousand, or 82.7%, to $2.2 million in 2013 from $1.2 million in 2012. This increase in product revenue was primarily attributed to a $596 thousand increase in military and commercial aviation balancing systems and accessory kits. Also contributing to the overall increase was a 57% rise in general instrumentation revenue which was driven by higher laser and tensile stage shipments. For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the largest commercial customer for the segment was an Asian distributor, which accounted for $178 thousand, or 8.1%, of the first quarter revenue. In 2012, the largest commercial customer for the segment was another Asian distributor, which accounted for $176 thousand, or 14.6%, of the first quarter revenue. The U.S. Air Force was the largest government customer for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and accounted for $676 thousand, or 30.7%, of the first quarter revenue.  The U.S. Air Force was the largest government customer for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 and accounted for $139 thousand, or 11.5%, of the first quarter revenue. 

Information regarding government contracts included in product revenue is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)			Revenues for the Three Months Ended				Contract Revenues to Date		Total Contract Orders Received To Date
			March 31,				March 31,		March 31,
Contract(1)	Expiration		2013		2012		2013		2013
Aviation Balancing Systems
$6.5 million U.S. Air Force Maintenance	09/27/2014	(2)	$	44	$	63	$	3,452	$	3,457
$4.1 million U.S. Air Force Systems	08/29/2015	(2)	$	—	$	—	$	855	$	855
$917 thousand U.S. Air Force Kit	09/30/2014	(3)	$	512	$	—	$	696	$	769

__________________

(1)      Contract values represent maximum potential values and may not be representative of actual results.

(2)         Date represents expiration of contract, which includes the exercise of all four option extensions.

(3)         Date represents expiration of contract, which includes the exercise of two option extensions. 

Cost of Product Revenue. Cost of product revenue in our Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013 increased by $398 thousand, or 68.8%, to $976 thousand in 2013 from $578 thousand in 2012 in conjunction with the aforementioned 82.7% increase in product revenue. Gross profit, as a percentage of product revenue, increased to 55.7%, compared to 52.0% for the same period in 2012 due to lower production overhead costs along with the sale of obsolete inventory.

Unfunded Research and Product Development Expenses. Unfunded research and product development expenses in our Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013 decreased by $33 thousand, or 9.0%, to $340 thousand in 2013 from $373 thousand in 2012. This decrease was due to lower external development spending. 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses in our Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013 decreased by $9 thousand, or 1.8%, to $509 thousand in 2013 from $518 thousand in 2012.  This decrease is the result of the product mix producing lower sales commissions to external sales representatives. 

 

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New Energy Segment

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses in our New Energy segment decreased by $12 thousand to $24 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to $37 thousand in 2012.  Currently, MTI Micro has no employees and projects to spend between $5 and $10 thousand per month for operating activities including rent, limited sales efforts, patent fees to keep the patent portfolio current and minimal consultant costs to perform these initiatives.

Results of Consolidated Operations

Operating Income (Loss). Operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $65 thousand compared to an operating loss of $839 thousand in 2012. This decrease in operating loss was a result of the factors noted above as well as savings achieved from the cost reductions implemented in the second half of 2012.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense). Income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $1 thousand. There was no income tax benefit (expense) for the three months ended March 31, 2012. During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, our effective income tax rate was 0%. The projected annual effective tax rate is less than the Federal statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to the current estimates of projected annual taxable income and potential use of net operating losses. The valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets was approximately $17.7 million at March 31, 2013 and $17.8 million at December 31, 2012, respectively. We will continue to evaluate the ability to realize our deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances on a quarterly basis.

Net Loss Attributed to Non-Controlling Interests (of MTI Micro). The net loss attributed to non-controlling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $20 thousand compared to $14 thousand in 2012. This is the result of net loss of MTI Micro of $38 thousand in 2013 compared to $28 thousand in 2012.

Net Income (Loss) Attributed to MTI. Net income attributed to MTI for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $86 thousand compared to a net loss attributed to MTI of $822 thousand for the same period in 2012. The increase in net income attributed to MTI of $908 thousand is primarily attributed to an increase of MTI Instruments net income of $732 thousand, a reduction of the net loss of corporate activities of $180 thousand, and an increase in the net loss attributed to non-controlling interests of $6 thousand. These are a result of the factors discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Several key indicators of our liquidity are summarized in the following table:

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended			Year Ended
	March 31,			March 31,			Dec 31,
	2013			2012			2012
Cash	$	933		$	1,978		$	289
Working capital		1,403			2,399			1,350
Net income (loss) attributed to MTI		86			(822	)		(2,086	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		685			310			(1,506	)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(41	)		(3	)		(17	)

The Company has historically incurred significant losses, until 2012 the majority stemming from the direct methanol fuel cell product development and commercialization programs of MTI Micro, and had a consolidated accumulated deficit of $122.1 million as of March 31, 2013. During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company generated net income attributed to MTI of $86 thousand, cash provided by operating activities totaling $685 thousand and had working capital of $1.4 million, a $53 thousand increase from December 31, 2012. This increase was the result of the cost saving initiatives that were implemented in the second half 2012. These reductions, on an annualized basis, are expected to equate to approximately $1.0 million in cost savings and are expected to be realized during 2013 and beyond. As such, management believes that the reorganized Company currently has adequate resources to avoid any other cost cutting measures which could adversely affect the business. As of March 31, 2013, we had no debt, no outstanding commitments for capital expenditures, approximately $933 thousand of cash available and $400 thousand available from our existing line of credit at MTI Instruments to fund our future operations.

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If production levels rise at MTI Instruments, additional capital equipment may be required in the foreseeable future. We expect to spend approximately $125 thousand on capital equipment and $1.5 million in research and development on MTI Instruments’ products during 2013. We expect to finance any future expenditures and continue funding our operations from our current cash position and our projected 2013 cash flow pursuant to management’s current plan. We may also seek to supplement our resources through sales of stock or assets, including our investment in MTI Micro. Besides the line of credit at MTI Instruments, we have no other commitments for funding future needs of the organization at this time and such additional financing during 2013 may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all. 

While it cannot be assured, the new management team believes that, due in part to our backlog at March 31, 2013 of $743 thousand, the aforementioned cost reductions implemented in the second half of 2012, recent replacements in sales staff and projected inventory reductions, the Company expects to continue the positive cash flows it began in the first quarter of 2013 to fund the Company’s operations for the foreseeable future. However, if near-term revenue estimates are delayed or missed, the Company will need to implement additional steps to ensure liquidity including, but not limited to, the deferral of planned capital spending, postponing anticipated new hires and/or delaying existing or pending product development initiatives.  Such steps, if required, could potentially have a material and adverse effect on the business. 

Although MTI Micro continues to believe in the potential of its Mobion^® based power solutions, operations have been suspended since late 2011 at MTI Micro until such time as market demand and other deciding factors, including obtaining additional external financing, the successful completion of customer trials, a new development program with a government agency, and/or a customer order, come to fruition.  MTI Micro will continue to seek additional capital from external sources to resume operations and fund future development, as warranted.  If MTI Micro is unable to secure additional financing, a new development program or customer order, the MTI Micro Board of Directors will assess other options for MTI Micro, including the sale of its intellectual property portfolio and/or remaining assets. 

Line of Credit

On September 20, 2011, MTI Instruments entered into a working capital line of credit with First Niagara Bank, N.A.  Pursuant to the Demand Grid Note, MTI Instruments may borrow from time to time up to $400 thousand to support its working capital needs. The note is payable upon demand, and the interest rate on the note is equal to the prime rate with a floor of 4.0% per annum. The note is secured by a lien on all of the assets of MTI Instruments and is guaranteed by the Company. The line of credit was renewed on May 7, 2012. The line of credit is subject to a review date of June 30, 2013. Under the line of credit, MTI Instruments is required to hold a line balance of $0 for 30 consecutive days out during each consecutive year.  As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 there were no amounts outstanding under the line of credit. 

Backlog, Inventory and Accounts Receivable

At March 31, 2013, our order backlog was $743 thousand compared to $710 thousand at March 31, 2012 and $1.6 million at December 31, 2012. The decrease in backlog from December 2012 was due to lower bookings in the current quarter. 

Our inventory turnover ratios and accounts receivable days outstanding for the trailing twelve month periods and their changes at March 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

	2013	2012	Change
Inventory turnover	2.5	3.4	(0.9	)
Average accounts receivable days outstanding	42	42	—

The decrease in inventory turns is due to a 16% increase in average inventory balances, driven by production based on forecasted sales schedules, combining with 23% lower sales volume during the comparable periods. 

The average accounts receivable days outstanding for the last twelve months have remained comparable to the prior period.  

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There were no off balance sheet arrangements.

Contractual Payment Obligations

Contractual Payment Obligations are not required for a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and in Item 10 (f)(1) of Regulation S-K.  As such, we are electing scaled disclosure reporting obligations and therefore are not required to provide the information required under this Item.

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Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market conditions will adversely affect earnings or cashflow. We categorize our market risks as interest rate risk and credit risk. Immediately below are detailed descriptions of the market risks and explanations as to how each of these risks are managed.

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates could adversely affect earnings or cashflows. The Company’s cash equivalents are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Interest rate changes would result in a change in interest income due to the difference between the current interest rates on cash. Interest rate risk sensitivity analysis is used to measure interest rate risk by computing estimated changes in cashflow as a result of assumed changes in market interest rates. A 10% decrease in 2013 interest rates would be immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk of loss we would incur if counterparties fail to perform their contractual obligations. Financial instruments that subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and unbilled contract costs.

Our trade accounts receivable and fees are primarily from sales to commercial customers, the U.S. government and state agencies. We do not require collateral and have not historically experienced significant credit losses related to receivables or fees from individual customers or groups of customers in any particular industry or geographic area.

Our deposits are primarily in cash and deposited in commercial banks and investment companies. The Company has cash deposits in excess of federally insured limits.  The amount of such deposits is essentially all cash at March 31, 2013.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Note 2, Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes a summary of our most significant accounting policies. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventories, income taxes, stock-based compensation and derivatives. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Periodically, we review our critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

A discussion of recent accounting pronouncements is included in Note 14, New Accounting Pronouncements, of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Any statements contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Form 10-Q that are not statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. When we use the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “management believes,” “we believe,” “we intend,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “will” and similar words or phrases, we are identifying forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause these differences include the following:

• our inability to achieve profitability and improve liquidity;
• sales revenue growth of our test and measurement instrumentation business may not be achieved or maintained;  

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• the dependence of our test and measurement instrumentation business on a small number of customers and potential loss of government contracts – particularly in light of expected defense department spending reductions resulting from the sequestration;
• our lack of long-term purchase commitments from our customers and the ability of our customers to cancel, reduce, or delay orders for our products;  

• our inability to build and maintain relationships with our customers;  
• our inability to develop and utilize new technologies that address the needs of our customers;
• intense competition in the instrumentation business;  
• the cyclical nature of the electronics industry;  
• significant periodic and seasonal quarterly fluctuations in our results of operations;  
• the uncertainty of the U.S. and global economy;  
• the impact of future exchange rate fluctuations;  
• failure of our strategic alliances to achieve their objectives or perform as contemplated and the risk of cancellation or early termination of such alliance by either party;  
• the loss of services of one or more of our key employees or the inability to hire, train, and retain key personnel;
• the historical volatility of our stock price;  

• risks related to protection and infringement of intellectual property;
• product liability or defects;  
• our dependence on sole suppliers or a limited group of suppliers for both business segments;

• our history of recurring net losses and the risk of continued net losses;

• our ability to generate income to realize our net operating losses

• risks related to the limitation of the use of our net operating losses in the event of certain ownership changes;  
• our ownership position in MTI Micro may be reduced further as a result of our need to seek external financing for MTI Micro’s operations;  
• MTI Micro’s need to raise additional financing; and 

• other factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.  You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.  If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer attached as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, in paragraph 4 of such certifications, information concerning our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Such certifications should be read in conjunction with the information contained in this Item 4 for a more complete understanding of the matters covered by such certifications.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of MTI’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2013. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We recognize that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and we necessarily apply our judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2013, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during our fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 20

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.                   Legal Proceedings

At any point in time, we may be involved in various lawsuits or other legal proceedings. Such lawsuits could arise from the sale of products or services or from other matters relating to our regular business activities, compliance with various governmental regulations and requirements, or other transactions or circumstances. We do not believe there are any such proceedings presently pending that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.  See Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies, to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.

Item 1A.                Risk Factors

Part II, Item 1A (Risk Factors) of our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), filed on March 21, 2013, sets forth information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. Except to the extent that information disclosed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q relates to such risk factors (including, without limitation, the matters described in Part I, Item 2 (Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements), there have been no material changes to our risk factors disclosed in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. However, those risk factors continue to be relevant to an understanding of our business, financial condition and operating results and, accordingly, you should review and consider such risk factors in making any investment decision with respect to our securities.

Item 2.           Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

Item 3.           Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4.           Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.           Other Information

None

Item 6.           Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Kevin G. Lynch
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Frederick W. Jones
32.1	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Kevin G. Lynch
32.2	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Frederick W. Jones
101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*	XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

All other exhibits for which no other filing information is given are filed herewith.

 

 21

* Submitted electronically herewith. Attached as Exhibit 101 are the following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) and tagged as blocks of text: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012; and (iv) related notes, tagged as blocks of text. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T this data is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 22

 SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	Mechanical Technology, Incorporated
Date: May 7, 2013	By:	/S/ KEVIN G. LYNCH
		Kevin G. Lynch Chief Executive Officer
	By:	/S/ FREDERICK W. JONES
		Frederick W. Jones Chief Financial Officer

23

EX-31

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Kevin G. Lynch, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated;
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e))  and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
	a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
	b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
	c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
	d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
	(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
	(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

May 7, 2013	/S/ KEVIN G. LYNCH
	Kevin G. Lynch
	Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Frederick W. Jones, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated;
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e))  and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
	a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
	b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
	c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
	d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
	(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
	(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

May 7, 2013	/S/ FREDERICK W. JONES
	Frederick W. Jones
	Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32

Exhibit 32.1

Mechanical Technology, Incorporated

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(18 U.S.C. Section 1350)

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated (the “Company”) for the three month period ended March 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Kevin G. Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to the requirements of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, (18 U.S.C. Sections 1350(a) and (b)), that, to my knowledge:

(1)	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”); and
(2)	The information in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 7, 2013	/S/ KEVIN G. LYNCH
	Kevin G. Lynch
	Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-32

Exhibit 32.2

Mechanical Technology, Incorporated

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(18 U.S.C. Section 1350)

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated (the “Company”) for the three month period ended March 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Frederick W. Jones, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to the requirements of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, (18 U.S.C. Sections 1350(a) and (b)), that, to my knowledge:

(1)	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”); and
(2)	The information in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 7, 2013	/S/ FREDERICK W. JONES
	Frederick W. Jones
	Chief  Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

XML

Stockholders' Equity - Reservation of Shares (Details 1)	Mar. 31, 2013
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Stock options outstanding	293,119
Common stock available for future equity awards or issuance of options	437,500
Number of common shares reserved	730,619

XML

Segment Information (Detail Textuals)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2

XML

Segment Information - Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate and other (expenses) income:
Product revenue	$ 2,200	$ 1,204
Unfunded research and product development expenses	340	373
Selling, general and administrative expenses	819	1,092
Segment profit (loss) from operations before income taxes and non-controlling interest	65	(836)
Segment profit (loss)	86	(822)	(2,086)
Total Assets	4,512	5,491	4,845
Capital expenditures	41	3
Depreciation	24	38
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Corporate and other (expenses) income:
Product revenue	2,200	1,204
Unfunded research and product development expenses	340	374
Selling, general and administrative expenses	509	518
Segment profit (loss) from operations before income taxes and non-controlling interest	254	(478)
Segment profit (loss)	254	(478)
Total Assets	1,983	1,833
Capital expenditures	41	3
Depreciation	21	25
New Energy
Corporate and other (expenses) income:
Product revenue
Unfunded research and product development expenses		(1)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	24	37
Segment profit (loss) from operations before income taxes and non-controlling interest	(38)	(28)
Segment profit (loss)	(38)	(28)
Total Assets	85	85
Capital expenditures
Depreciation	3	13
Other
Corporate and other (expenses) income:
Product revenue
Unfunded research and product development expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses	286	537
Segment profit (loss) from operations before income taxes and non-controlling interest	(150)	(330)
Segment profit (loss)	(150)	(330)
Total Assets	2,444	3,573
Capital expenditures
Depreciation
Reconciling Items
Corporate and other (expenses) income:
Product revenue
Unfunded research and product development expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Segment profit (loss) from operations before income taxes and non-controlling interest
Segment profit (loss)	20	14
Total Assets
Capital expenditures
Depreciation

XML

Accounts Receivable (Detail Textuals) (Test and Measurement Instrumentation)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of segment product revenue	8.10%	14.60%
Percentage of segment accounts receivable	11.50%		9.70%
U.S. governmental agency
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of segment product revenue	30.70%	11.50%
Percentage of segment accounts receivable	0.40%		51.30%

XML

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of property plant and equipment

(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
Leasehold improvements	$	954	$		954
Computers and related software		1,750			1,709
Machinery and equipment		1,390			1,390
Office furniture and fixtures		271			271
		4,365			4,324
Less: Accumulated depreciation		4,219			4,195
	$	146	$		129

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Detail Textuals) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Future minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases, remaining in 2013	212
Future minimum rental payments in 2014	263
2002 NYSERDA contract | MTI Micro
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Percentage of sales price of product to calculate the royalty provision	5.00%
Percentage of sales price of product to calculate the royalty provision at reduced rate	1.50%
2010 NYSERDA contract | MTI Micro
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Percentage of sales price of product to calculate the royalty provision	5.00%
Percentage of sales price of product to calculate the royalty provision at reduced rate	1.50%
Period for payment of obligation	15 years
Employment agreements
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Potential maximum cash obligation due to employees under agreement	59

XML

Issuance of Common Stock, Warrants and Stock Options by MTI Micro - MTI Micro has reserved common shares for future issuance, broken down between the Company and NCI (Details 1)	Mar. 31, 2013
Share Based Compensation And Warrants [Abstract]
Stock options outstanding	293,119
Number of shares reserved for outstanding options and warrants	730,619
MTI Micro
Share Based Compensation And Warrants [Abstract]
Stock options outstanding	1,140,240
Warrants outstanding	45,100,547
Number of shares reserved for outstanding options and warrants	46,240,787
MTI
Share Based Compensation And Warrants [Abstract]
Stock options outstanding
Warrants outstanding	32,904,136
Number of shares reserved for outstanding options and warrants	32,904,136
Non-Controlling Interest (NCI) | MTI Micro
Share Based Compensation And Warrants [Abstract]
Stock options outstanding	1,140,240
Warrants outstanding	12,196,411
Number of shares reserved for outstanding options and warrants	13,336,651

XML

Income Taxes (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	0.00%	0.00%
Federal statutory rate	35.00%
Incremental tax benefit			$ 1,500,000
Amount of taxable income	225,000
Deferred tax assets	1,520,000			1,519,000
Valuation allowance	$ 17,700,000			$ 17,800,000

XML

Stock Based Compensation (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Initial aggregate number of shares awarded or issued		730,619
MTI Option Plans | 2006 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Issuance of shares for common stock grants	2,000
Fair value of common stock shares (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31
MTI Option Plans | 2012 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Initial aggregate number of shares awarded or issued		600,000
Options granted to purchase the company's common stock from the 2012 plan (in shares)	224,500
Vesting percentages of options on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of the award granted	25.00%
Number of anniversaries from the date of the award for options to be vested	4 years
Exercise price of options granted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29
Weighted average fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27
Number of granted options cancelled (in shares)	62,000

XML

Segment Information - Details of "Other" segment (loss) profit (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Corporate and other (expenses) income:
Other (expense) income, net		$ 3
Income tax benefit	1
Total "Other" segment loss	65	(836)
Other
Corporate and other (expenses) income:
Salaries and benefits	(78)	(352)
Other (expense) income, net	(73)	22
Income tax benefit	1
Total "Other" segment loss	$ (150)	$ (330)

XML

Accounts Receivable

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Receivables [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable

3.             Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivables consist of the following at:

(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
U.S. and State Government	$	212	$	874
Commercial		680		800
Total	$	892	$	1,674

For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the largest commercial customer represented 8.1% and 14.6%, respectively, and a U.S. governmental agency represented 30.7% and 11.5%, respectively, of the Company’s Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment product revenue. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the largest commercial customer represented 11.5% and 9.7%, respectively, and a U.S. governmental agency represented 0.4% and 51.3%, respectively, of the Company’s Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment accounts receivable. 

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding receivables for the New Energy segment.

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had no allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable.

XML

Issuance of Common Stock, Warrants and Stock Options by MTI Micro (Detail Textuals)								3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Common Stock	Dec. 31, 2012 Common Stock	Mar. 31, 2013 MTI Micro	Dec. 31, 2012 MTI Micro	Mar. 31, 2013 MTI Micro MTI Warrants	Mar. 31, 2013 MTI Micro MTI Common Stock	Mar. 31, 2013 MTI Micro MTI Common Stock and Warrants issued
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership in MTI micro								47.60%	53.30%
Common stock shares outstanding			5,256,883	5,256,883	157,623,044	157,623,044		75,049,937
Warrants outstanding					45,100,547		32,904,136
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	75,000,000	75,000,000						240,000,000

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of reconciliation of changes in product warranty liabilities

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Balance, January 1	$	20		$	26
Accruals for warranties issued		7			3
Settlements made (in cash or in kind)		(5	)		(3	)
Balance, end of period	$	22		$	26

XML

Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of segment reporting information by segment

(Dollars in thousands)	Test and  Measurement  Instrumentation		New  Energy			Other			Reconciling Items		Condensed Consolidated Totals
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Product revenue	$	2,200	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	2,200
Unfunded research and product development expenses		340		—			—			—		340
Selling, general and administrative expenses		509		24			286			—		819
Segment profit (loss) from operations before non-controlling interest		254		(38	)		(150	)		—		66
Segment profit (loss)		254		(38	)		(150	)		20		86
Total assets		1,983		85			2,444			—		4,512
Capital expenditures		41		—			—			—		41
Depreciation		21		3			—			—		24

(Dollars in thousands)	Test and  Measurement  Instrumentation			New  Energy			Other		Reconciling Items			Condensed Consolidated Totals
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Product revenue	$	1,204		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	1,204
Unfunded research and product development expenses (income)		374			(1	)		—			—		373
Selling, general and administrative expenses		518			37			537			—		1,092
Segment loss from operations before non-controlling interest		(478	)		(28	)		(330	)		—		(836	)
Segment (loss) profit		(478	)		(28	)		(330	)		14		(822	)
Total assets		1,833			85			3,573			—		5,491
Capital expenditures		3			—			—			—		3
Depreciation		25			13			—			—		38

Schedule of details of (other) segment loss

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013		2012
Corporate and other (expenses) income:
Salaries and benefits	$	(78)	$	(352)
Other (expense) income, net		(73)		22
Income tax benefit		1		—
Total “Other” segment loss	$	(150)	$	(330)

XML

Issuance of Common Stock, Warrants and Stock Options by MTI Micro (Detail Textuals 1) (MTI Micro, USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Feb. 09, 2011 Counter Point Amendment No. 1	Sep. 23, 2011 Counter Point Amendment No. 2	Jan. 11, 2010 Counter Point Purchase agreement	Dec. 09, 2009 Warrants to current shareholders of Mti Micro including MTI	Dec. 09, 2009 Warrants to bridge investors of Mti Micro including MTI
Share Based Compensation And Warrants [Abstract]
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per warrant)	0.07	0.07	0.07	0.07	0.07
Number of shares that can be purchased by warrant holder (in shares)				32,779,310	5,081,237
Loss on extinguishment of debt					$ (289)
Warrants outstanding				$ 2,000	$ 57
Warrants issued	1,285,715	240,000	5,714,286
Number of anniversaries from the date of the warrants issuance	5 years	5 years	5 years

XML

Nature of Operations (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Segment	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	2
Accumulated deficit	$ (122,097,000)	$ (122,183,000)
Working capital	1,400,000
Current available cash and cash equivalents	933,000	289,000	1,978,000	1,669,000
Cash flow savings from restructuring operations	1,000,000
MTI Instruments | Line Of Credit
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Working capital line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 400,000
MTI
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Company's ownership in MTI micro outstanding common stock	47.60%

XML

Basis of Presentation (Detail Textuals)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
MTI
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership in MTI micro	47.60%
Counter Point
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership in MTI micro	45.20%
Dr. Walter L Robb
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership in MTI micro	5.10%

XML

Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

2.             Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented in accordance with United States of America Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q in Article 10 of the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) Regulation S-X.  The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The information presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. All other information has been derived from the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MTI Instruments and its VIE, MTI Micro. The Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE.  All inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company reflects the impact of the equity securities issuances in its investment in a VIE and additional paid-in-capital accounts for the dilution or anti-dilution of its ownership interest in the VIE.

The Company has performed an analysis under the VIE model and determined that MTI Micro is a VIE. One of the criteria for determining whether an entity is a VIE is determining if the entity, MTI Micro, has equity at risk. Management has concluded that MTI Micro does not have equity at risk to fund operations into its next phase of development. Further, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of MTI Micro, and therefore should include MTI Micro’s results of operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

The Company's analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of MTI Micro focused primarily on determining which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that would have the most significant impact on the financial performance of MTI Micro. MTI Micro is governed by its own board of directors and significant decisions are determined by a majority vote of this board. MTI does not have control of the MTI Micro board of directors; however, at this time, the Company’s board of directors and the MTI Micro board of directors consist of the same members. Under the Articles of Incorporation of MTI Micro, each share of MTI Micro stock is entitled to a vote, and further, holders of a majority of the shares of MTI Micro's common stock have the ability to reconstitute the board. As of March 31, 2013, MTI, Counter Point Ventures Fund II, LP (Counter Point) and Dr. Walter L. Robb, a member of the Company’s and MTI Micro’s board of directors own 47.6%, 45.2% and 5.1% of the common shares of MTI Micro, respectively. Counter Point is a venture capital fund sponsored and managed by Dr. Robb. Since no entity of the related parties has power but, as a group, the Company and its related parties have the power, then the party within the related party group that is most closely associated with the VIE, MTI Micro, is the primary beneficiary. Even though Dr. Robb and Counterpoint combined control a majority of the outstanding common stock, and they have the ability to elect the directors of MTI Micro and decide whether to continue to seek business opportunities for MTI Micro or instead seek opportunities to sell the intellectual property, they have not elected to do so. The Company continues to oversee the day to day operations, exercise management decision making, seek opportunities to sell intellectual property, and has a vested interest in the commercialization of MTI Micro’s fuel cell technology. Since inception in 2001, the Company has made the largest investment and been the principal funder of MTI Micro. The Company has also been exposed to losses and has the ability to benefit from MTI Micro. Considering the facts and circumstances, management believes the Company is most closely associated with the VIE, MTI Micro, and therefore, it is the primary beneficiary.   

Should there be a change in the facts and circumstances (such as undertaking additional activities, a change in governance or a change to the related party group) in the future, management will reassess whether the Company remains the primary beneficiary and should continue to consolidate MTI Micro in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  

Non-controlling interests (NCI) are classified as equity in the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated statement of operations presents net income (loss) for both the Company and the non-controlling interests. The calculation of earnings per share is based on net income (loss) attributable to the Company.

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Accounts Receivable - Components of accounts receivables (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivables, Total	$ 892	$ 1,674
U.S. and State Government
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivables, Total	212	874
Commercial
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivables, Total	$ 680	$ 800

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Stockholders' Equity (Detail Textuals) (USD $)						3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 11, 2010	Mar. 31, 2013 Common Stock	Dec. 31, 2012 Common Stock	Mar. 31, 2013 Stock Options	Mar. 31, 2012 Stock Options
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock shares outstanding				5,256,883	5,256,883
Number of shares to purchase under options and warrants excluded from computation of earning per share						293,119	778,046

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Subsequent Events (Detail Textuals) (Subsequent Event, Kevin G. Lynch, USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013
Subsequent Event | Kevin G. Lynch
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Annual base salary	$ 260
Annual bonus	$ 200
Options to purchase shares of common stock	100,000
Closing market price	$ 0.46

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets:
Cash	$ 933	$ 289
Accounts receivable	892	1,674
Inventories	914	1,118
Deferred income taxes, net	15	16
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	92	100
Total Current Assets	2,846	3,197
Deferred income taxes, net	1,520	1,519
Property, plant and equipment, net	146	129
Total Assets	4,512	4,845
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	465	208
Accrued liabilities	898	1,048
Deferred revenue	80	591
Total Current Liabilities	1,443	1,847
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)
Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, authorized 75,000,000; 6,261,975 issued in both 2013 and 2012	63	63
Additional paid-in capital	135,566	135,561
Accumulated deficit	(122,097)	(122,183)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 1,005,092 shares in both 2013 and 2012	(13,754)	(13,754)
Total MTI stockholders' deficit	(222)	(313)
Non-controlling interest	3,291	3,311
Total Equity	3,069	2,998
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 4,512	$ 4,845

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Issuance of Common Stock, Warrants and Stock Options by MTI Micro (Detail Textuals 2)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cancellation of stock option (in shares)	389,800
MTI Micro
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Stock options available for issuance (in shares)	36,861,760
MTI Micro | MTI | Common Stock
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding shares	47.60%
MTI Micro | MTI | Common Stock and Warrants issued
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding shares	53.30%
MTI Micro | Counter Point | Common Stock
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding shares	45.20%
MTI Micro | Counter Point | Common Stock and Warrants issued
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding shares	40.30%
MTI Micro | Dr. Walter L Robb | Common Stock
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding shares	5.10%
MTI Micro | Dr. Walter L Robb | Common Stock and Warrants issued
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding shares	4.30%

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 66	$ (836)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	24	38
Gain on disposal of equipment		(5)
Stock based compensation	5	58
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	782	1,220
Inventories	204	(50)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8	18
Accounts payable	257	(14)
Deferred revenue	(511)
Accrued liabilities	(150)	(119)
Net cash provided by operating activities	685	310
Investing Activities
Purchases of equipment	(41)	(3)
Proceeds from sale of equipment		2
Net cash used in investing activities	(41)	(1)
Increase in cash	644	309
Cash - beginning of period	289	1,669
Cash - end of period	$ 933	$ 1,978

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Property, Plant and Equipment - Components of property, plant and equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Leasehold improvements	$ 954	$ 954
Computers and related software	1,750	1,709
Machinery and equipment	1,390	1,390
Office furniture and fixtures	271	271
Property, plant and equipment gross	4,365	4,324
Less: Accumulated depreciation	4,219	4,195
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 146	$ 129

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Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MTI Instruments and its VIE, MTI Micro. The Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE.  All inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company reflects the impact of the equity securities issuances in its investment in a VIE and additional paid-in-capital accounts for the dilution or anti-dilution of its ownership interest in the VIE.

The Company has performed an analysis under the VIE model and determined that MTI Micro is a VIE. One of the criteria for determining whether an entity is a VIE is determining if the entity, MTI Micro, has equity at risk. Management has concluded that MTI Micro does not have equity at risk to fund operations into its next phase of development. Further, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of MTI Micro, and therefore should include MTI Micro’s results of operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

The Company's analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of MTI Micro focused primarily on determining which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that would have the most significant impact on the financial performance of MTI Micro. MTI Micro is governed by its own board of directors and significant decisions are determined by a majority vote of this board. MTI does not have control of the MTI Micro board of directors; however, at this time, the Company’s board of directors and the MTI Micro board of directors consist of the same members. Under the Articles of Incorporation of MTI Micro, each share of MTI Micro stock is entitled to a vote, and further, holders of a majority of the shares of MTI Micro's common stock have the ability to reconstitute the board. As of March 31, 2013, MTI, Counter Point Ventures Fund II, LP (Counter Point) and Dr. Walter L. Robb, a member of the Company’s and MTI Micro’s board of directors own 47.6%, 45.2% and 5.1% of the common shares of MTI Micro, respectively. Counter Point is a venture capital fund sponsored and managed by Dr. Robb. Since no entity of the related parties has power but, as a group, the Company and its related parties have the power, then the party within the related party group that is most closely associated with the VIE, MTI Micro, is the primary beneficiary. Even though Dr. Robb and Counterpoint combined control a majority of the outstanding common stock, and they have the ability to elect the directors of MTI Micro and decide whether to continue to seek business opportunities for MTI Micro or instead seek opportunities to sell the intellectual property, they have not elected to do so. The Company continues to oversee the day to day operations, exercise management decision making, seek opportunities to sell intellectual property, and has a vested interest in the commercialization of MTI Micro’s fuel cell technology. Since inception in 2001, the Company has made the largest investment and been the principal funder of MTI Micro. The Company has also been exposed to losses and has the ability to benefit from MTI Micro. Considering the facts and circumstances, management believes the Company is most closely associated with the VIE, MTI Micro, and therefore, it is the primary beneficiary.   

Should there be a change in the facts and circumstances (such as undertaking additional activities, a change in governance or a change to the related party group) in the future, management will reassess whether the Company remains the primary beneficiary and should continue to consolidate MTI Micro in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  

Non-controlling interests (NCI) are classified as equity in the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated statement of operations presents net income (loss) for both the Company and the non-controlling interests. The calculation of earnings per share is based on net income (loss) attributable to the Company.

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Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail Textuals) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 24	$ 129
Gain on disposal of equipment		130
Sales proceeds received on sales of certain surplus equipment of MTI micro		$ 143

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Inventories (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of inventories

(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Finished goods	$	295	$	265
Work in process		266		482
Raw materials		353		371
Total	$	914	$	1,118

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Nature of Operations

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

1.             Nature of Operations

Description of Business

Mechanical Technology, Incorporated (MTI or the Company), a New York corporation, was incorporated in 1961. MTI operates in two segments, the Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment, which is conducted through MTI Instruments, Incorporated (MTI Instruments), a wholly-owned subsidiary, and the New Energy segment, which is conducted through MTI MicroFuel Cells Incorporated (MTI Micro), a variable interest entity (VIE) that is included in these condensed consolidated financial statements and described further below in Note 2.

MTI Instruments was incorporated in New York on March 8, 2000 and is a worldwide supplier of precision non-contact physical measurement solutions, portable balancing equipment and wafer inspection tools. MTI Instruments’ products use a comprehensive array of technologies to solve complex, real world applications in numerous industries including manufacturing, semiconductor, solar, commercial and military aviation, automotive and data storage. MTI Instruments’ products consist of electronic gauging instruments for position, displacement and vibration application within the design, manufacturing/production, test and research market; wafer characterization of semi-insulating and semi-conducting wafers within both the semiconductor and solar industries; tensile stage systems for materials testing at academic and industrial settings; and engine vibration analysis systems for both military and commercial aircraft.

MTI Micro was incorporated in Delaware on March 26, 2001, and, until its operations were suspended in late 2011, had been developing Mobion^®, a handheld energy-generating device to replace current lithium-ion and similar rechargeable battery systems in many handheld electronic devices for the military and consumer markets. Although MTI Micro continues to believe in the potential of its Mobion^® based power solutions, operations continue to remain suspended at MTI Micro until such time as market demand and other deciding factors, including obtaining additional external financing, the successful completion of customer trials, a new development program with a government agency, and/or a customer order, come to fruition. MTI Micro will continue to seek additional capital from external sources to resume operations and fund future development, as warranted. If MTI Micro is unable to secure additional financing, a new development program or customer order, the MTI Micro Board of Directors will assess other options for MTI Micro, including the sale of its intellectual property portfolio and/or remaining assets. As of March 31, 2013, the Company owned approximately 47.6% of MTI Micro’s outstanding common stock.

Liquidity

The Company has incurred significant losses primarily due to its past efforts to fund MTI Micro’s direct methanol fuel cell product development and commercialization programs, and has an accumulated deficit of approximately $122.1 million and working capital of approximately $1.4 million at March 31, 2013. The Company suspended operations at MTI Micro in late 2011.

The Company restructured the operations of the Company during the second half of 2012, which included the departure of its then CEO, staffing adjustments to its MTI Instrument’s sales force and reduction in MTI Instrument’s production and development personnel.

This restructuring is expected to yield cash flow savings of approximately $1.0 million annually.  Based on the Company’s projected cash requirements for operations and capital expenditures for 2013, its current available cash of approximately $933 thousand, the $400 thousand available from its existing line of credit at MTI Instruments, current cash flow requirements and revenue and expense projections, management believes it will have adequate resources to fund operations and capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months.

However, the Company may need to do one or more of the following to raise additional resources, or reduce its cash requirements:

1)       Reduce its current expenditure run rate;

2)       Defer its capital expenditures;

3)       Defer its hiring plans; and

4)       Secure additional debt or equity financing.

There is no guarantee that such resources will be available to the Company on terms acceptable to it, or at all, or that such resources will be received in a timely manner, if at all, or that the Company will be able to reduce its expenditure run-rate, defer its capital expenditures or hiring plans without materially and adversely effecting its business.

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	6,261,975	6,261,975
Treasury stock, shares	1,005,092	1,005,092

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

11.          Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments:

Leases

The Company and its subsidiary lease certain manufacturing, laboratory and office facilities. The leases generally provide for the Company to pay either an increase over a base year level for taxes, maintenance, insurance and other costs of the leased properties or the Company’s allocated share of insurance, taxes, maintenance and other costs of leased properties. The leases contain renewal provisions.

Future minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) are (dollars in thousands): $212 thousand remaining in 2013 and $263 thousand in 2014.

Warranties

Product warranty liabilities are included in “Accrued liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Below is a reconciliation of changes in product warranty liabilities:

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Balance, January 1	$	20		$	26
Accruals for warranties issued		7			3
Settlements made (in cash or in kind)		(5	)		(3	)
Balance, end of period	$	22		$	26

Licenses

Under a 2002 NYSERDA contract, MTI Micro agreed to pay NYSERDA a royalty of 5.0% of the sales price of any product sold incorporating IP developed pursuant to the NYSERDA contract. If the product is manufactured by a New York State manufacturer, this royalty is reduced to 1.5%. Total royalties are subject to a cap equal to two times the total contract funds paid by NYSERDA to MTI Micro, and may be reduced to reflect any New York State jobs created by MTI Micro. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there are no amounts accrued in the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to this royalty provision.

Under the 2010 NYSERDA contract, MTI Micro agreed to pay NYSERDA a royalty of 5.0% of the sales price of any product sold incorporating IP developed pursuant to the NYSERDA contract. The obligation commences on the first date of the first sale of these products and is in place for fifteen years. Total royalties are subject to a cap equal to three times the total contract funds paid by NYSERDA to MTI Micro. However, if the product is manufactured by a New York State manufacturer, this royalty is reduced to 1.5% and total royalties are subject to a cap equal to one times the total contract funds paid by NYSERDA to MTI Micro. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there are no amounts accrued in the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to this royalty provision.

Employment Agreement

The Company has an employment agreement with one employee that provides certain payments upon termination of employment under certain circumstances, as defined in the applicable agreement. As of March 31, 2013, the Company’s potential minimum obligation to this employee was approximately $59 thousand. 

Contingencies:

Legal

We are subject to legal proceedings, claims and liabilities which arise in the ordinary course of business. We accrue for losses associated with legal claims when such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. These accruals are adjusted as additional information becomes available or circumstances change. Legal fees are charged to expense as they are incurred.

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Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	May 01, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000064463
Trading Symbol	mkty
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,256,883
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

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Line of Credit

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Line of Credit

12.          Line of Credit

On September 20, 2011, MTI Instruments entered into a working capital line of credit with First Niagara Bank, N.A.  Pursuant to the Demand Grid Note, MTI Instruments may borrow from time to time up to $400 thousand to support its working capital needs. The note is payable upon demand, and the interest rate on the note is equal to the prime rate with a floor of 4.0% per annum. The note is secured by a lien on all of the assets of MTI Instruments and is guaranteed by the Company. The line of credit was renewed on May 7, 2012. The line of credit is subject to a review date of June 30, 2013. Under the line of credit, MTI Instruments is required to hold a line balance of $0 for 30 consecutive days out during each consecutive year.  As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding under the line of credit.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Product revenue	$ 2,200	$ 1,204
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenue	976	578
Unfunded research and product development expenses	340	373
Selling, general and administrative expenses	819	1,092
Operating income (loss)	65	(839)
Other income, net		3
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest	65	(836)
Income tax benefit	1
Net income (loss)	66	(836)
Plus: Net loss attributed to non-controlling interest	20	14
Net income (loss) attributed to MTI	$ 86	$ (822)
Income (loss) per share attributable to MTI (Basic and Diluted) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ (0.16)
Weighted average shares outstanding (Basic and Diluted) (in shares)	5,256,883	5,254,883

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

6.             Income Taxes

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company’s effective income tax rate was 0%. The projected annual effective tax rate is less than the Federal statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to the current estimates of projected annual taxable income and potential use of net operating losses. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company’s effective income tax rate was also 0%.

The Company provides for recognition of deferred tax assets if the realization of such assets is more likely than not to occur in accordance with accounting standards that address income taxes. Significant management judgment is required in determining the period in which the reversal of a valuation allowance should occur. The Company has considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, such as historical levels of income and future forecasts of taxable income amongst other items, in determining our valuation allowance. In addition, the Company’s assessment requires us to schedule future taxable income in accordance with accounting standards that address income taxes to assess the appropriateness of a valuation allowance which further requires the exercise of significant management judgment.

As a result of our analyses in 2011, the Company released a portion of our valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. The partial release of the valuation allowance caused an incremental tax benefit of $1.5 million that was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2011. The release of a portion of the valuation allowance was based upon a recent cumulative income history for MTI and its subsidiary exclusive of MTI Micro (MTI Micro files separate federal and state tax returns) causing the Company to evaluate what portion of the Company's deferred tax assets it believes are more likely than not to be realized. The Company has determined that it continues to expect to generate sufficient levels of pre-tax earnings in the future to realize the net deferred tax assets recorded on the balance sheet at March 31, 2013. The Company has projected such pre-tax earnings utilizing a combination of historical and projected results, taking into consideration existing levels of permanent differences, non-deductible expense and the reversal of significant temporary differences.  The Company needs to generate approximately $225 thousand of taxable income in each year over the next twenty years to ensure the realizability of the approximately $1.5 million of deferred tax assets recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2013.

The Company believes that the accounting estimate for the valuation of deferred tax assets is a critical accounting estimate, because judgment is required in assessing the likely future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. The Company based the estimate of deferred tax assets and liabilities on current tax laws and rates and, in certain cases, business plans and other expectations about future outcomes. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or the Company adjusts these estimates in future periods, the Company may need to adjust the recorded valuation allowance, which could materially impact our financial position and results of operations. The valuation allowance was $17.7 million at March 31, 2013 and $17.8 million at December 31, 2012, respectively. The Company will continue to evaluate the ability to realize its deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances on a quarterly basis.

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Property, Plant and Equipment

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

5.             Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following at:

(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
Leasehold improvements	$	954	$		954
Computers and related software		1,750			1,709
Machinery and equipment		1,390			1,390
Office furniture and fixtures		271			271
		4,365			4,324
Less: Accumulated depreciation		4,219			4,195
	$	146	$		129

Depreciation expense was $24 thousand and $129 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. In conjunction with the suspension of MTI Micro operations in late 2011, sales of certain surplus equipment on hand were made during 2012. This resulted in a net gain on sale of $130 thousand. As of December 31, 2012, all $143 thousand in sales proceeds have been received.

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Accounts Receivable (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Receivables [Abstract]

Schedule of accounts receivables

(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
U.S. and State Government	$	212	$	874
Commercial		680		800
Total	$	892	$	1,674

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Stock Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]

Stock Based Compensation

13.          Stock Based Compensation

The Mechanical Technology Incorporated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2012 Plan) was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on April 14, 2012 and approved by stockholders on June 14, 2012. The 2012 Plan provides an initial aggregate number of 600,000 shares of common stock which may be awarded or issued. The number of shares which may be awarded under the 2012 Plan and awards outstanding can be subject to adjustment on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split and other dilutive changes in Common Stock. Under the 2012 Plan, the Board of Directors is authorized to issue stock options (incentive and nonqualified), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries. Incentive stock options may only be granted to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

During 2012, the Company granted 2,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from the 2006 Plan, which immediately vested and the stock was issued to the holder. The shares were granted from the 2006 Plan before the 2012 Plan was approved by the shareholders. The fair value of this grant was $0.31 per share and was based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. 

During 2012, the Company granted 224,500 options to purchase the Company’s common stock from the 2012 Plan, which generally vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of the award. The exercise price of these grants was $0.29 per share and was based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the dates of grant. Using a Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, the weighted average fair value of these options was $0.27 per share and was estimated at the date of grant.  During   2012, 62,000 options of the 2012 grants were cancelled before vesting occurred.

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Fair Value Measurement

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurement

9.             Fair Value Measurement

The Company performs a detailed analysis of financial assets and liabilities in determining the appropriate levels of classification. At each reporting period, all assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurements are based upon significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3. The Company had no Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

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Stockholders' Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

7.             Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

The Company has one class of common stock, par value $.01.  Each share of the Company’s common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to stockholders.  As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were 5,256,883 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

Changes in common shares issued and treasury stock outstanding are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013	Year Ended December  31, 2012
Common Shares
Balance, beginning	6,261,975	6,259,975
Issuance of shares for common stock grants	—	2,000
Balance, ending	6,261,975	6,261,975
Treasury Stock
Balance, beginning	1,005,092	1,005,092
Balance, ending	1,005,092	1,005,092

Reservation of Shares

The Company had reserved common shares for future issuance as follows as of March 31, 2013:

Stock options outstanding	293,119
Common stock available for future equity awards or issuance of options	437,500
Number of common shares reserved	730,619

Earnings (Loss) per Share

The Company computes basic income (loss) per common share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted income (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution, if any, computed by dividing income (loss) by the combination of dilutive common share equivalents, comprised of shares issuable under outstanding investment rights, warrants and the Company’s share-based compensation plans, and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Dilutive common share equivalents include the dilutive effect of in-the-money stock options, which are calculated based on the average share price for each period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the exercise price of a stock option, the amount of compensation cost, if any, for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of windfall tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital, if any, when the stock option is exercised are assumed to be used to repurchase shares in the current period.

Not included in the computation of earnings per share, assuming dilution, for the three months ended March 31, 2013, were options to purchase 293,119 shares of the Company’s common stock. These potentially dilutive items were excluded because the average market price of the common stock did not exceed the exercise prices of the options for this period.

Not included in the computation of loss per share, assuming dilution, for the three months ended March 31, 2012, were options to purchase 778,046 shares of the Company’s common stock. These potentially dilutive items were excluded because the Company incurred a loss for this period and their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

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Issuance of Common Stock, Warrants and Stock Options by MTI Micro

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Issuance Of Stock Warrants To Variable Interest Entity and Stock Option [Abstract]

Issuance of Common Stock, Warrants and Stock Options by MTI Micro

8.             Issuance of Common Stock, Warrants and Stock Options by MTI Micro

As of March 31, 2013, the Company owned approximately 47.6% of MTI Micro’s outstanding common stock, or 75,049,937 shares, and 53.3% of common stock and warrants issued, which includes 32,904,136 outstanding warrants. The number of shares of MTI Micro common stock authorized for issuance is 240,000,000 as of March 31, 2013.

Common Stock – MTI Micro

The following table represents changes in ownership between the Company and non-controlling interests (NCI) in common shares of MTI Micro:

		MTI		Non Controlling Interest (NCI)
	Average Price	Shares	Ownership %	Shares	Ownership %	Total Shares
Balance at 12/31/12	$0.07	75,049,937	47.61	82,573,107	52.39	157,623,044
Balance at 3/31/13	$0.07	75,049,937	47.61	82,573,107	52.39	157,623,044

Warrants Issued – MTI Micro

On December 9, 2009, MTI Micro issued warrants to the then current shareholders of MTI Micro, including the Company, without consideration, to purchase 32,779,310 shares of MTI Micro Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The warrants became exercisable on December 9, 2010 and expire on December 8, 2017. The warrants have been accounted for as an equity distribution of $2.0 million, including warrants to the Company with a value of $2.0 million, which were eliminated in consolidation.

On December 9, 2009, MTI Micro issued warrants to the Bridge Investors of MTI Micro, including the Company, to purchase 5,081,237 shares of MTI Micro Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The MTI Micro Warrants became exercisable on December 9, 2009 and will expire on the earlier of: (i) April 15, 2014; (ii) immediately prior to a change in control; or (iii) immediately prior to an initial public offering of MTI Micro. The MTI Micro Warrants were issued without consideration and were accounted for as equity and a loss on extinguishment of debt was recorded in the amount of $289 thousand, including warrants to the Company with a value of $57 thousand, which were eliminated in consolidation.

Under the Purchase Agreement entered into on January 11, 2010, MTI Micro issued 5,714,286 MTI Micro Warrants to Counter Point to purchase shares of MTI Micro Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The MTI Micro Warrants became exercisable on the date of issuance and will expire on the earlier of: (a) the five (5) year anniversary of the Date of Issuance of the Warrant; (b) immediately prior to a change in control; or (c) the closing of a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act. The MTI Micro Warrants were accounted for as equity.

Under Amendment No. 1 entered into on February 9, 2011, MTI Micro issued 1,285,715 MTI Micro Warrants to Counter Point to purchase shares of MTI Micro Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The MTI Micro Warrants became exercisable on the date of issuance and will expire on the earlier of: (a) the five (5) year anniversary of the Date of Issuance of the Warrant; (b) immediately prior to a change in control; or (c) the closing of a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act. The MTI Micro Warrants were accounted for as equity.

Under Amendment No. 2 entered into on September 23, 2011, MTI Micro issued 240,000 MTI Micro Warrants to Counter Point to purchase shares of MTI Micro Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The MTI Micro Warrants became exercisable on the date of issuance and will expire on the earlier of: (a) the five (5) year anniversary of the Date of Issuance of the Warrant; (b) immediately prior to a change in control; or (c) the closing of a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act. The MTI Micro Warrants were accounted for as equity.

Reservation of Shares

MTI Micro has reserved common shares for future issuance, broken down between the Company and NCI, as follows as of March 31, 2013:

	MTI	NCI	Total
Stock options outstanding	—	1,140,240	1,140,240
Warrants outstanding	32,904,136	12,196,411	45,100,547
Number of shares reserved for outstanding options and warrants	32,904,136	13,336,651	46,240,787

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, there were 389,800 option cancellations.  MTI Micro has 36,861,760 stock options available for issuance as of March 31, 2013.

As of March 31, 2013, the Company owned an aggregate of approximately 47.6% of the outstanding shares of MTI Micro or 53.3% of the outstanding common stock and warrants issued of MTI Micro, and Counter Point and Dr. Robb owned approximately 45.2% and 5.1%, respectively of the outstanding shares of MTI Micro or 40.3% and 4.3%, respectively of the outstanding common stock and warrants issued of MTI Micro.

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Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

10.           Segment Information

The Company operates in two business segments, Test and Measurement Instrumentation and New Energy. The Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment designs, manufactures, markets and services high performance test and measurement instruments and systems, wafer characterization tools for the semiconductor and solar industries, tensile stage systems for materials testing at academic and industrial settings, and computer-based balancing systems for aircraft engines. The New Energy segment is focused on commercializing direct methanol fuel cells. The Company’s principal operations are located in North America.

The accounting policies of the Test and Measurement Instrumentation and New Energy segments are similar to those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Note 2). The Company evaluates performance based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes. Inter-segment sales and expenses are not significant.

Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following tables. The “Other” column includes corporate related items and items such as income taxes or unusual items, which are not allocated to reportable segments. The “Reconciling Items” column includes non-controlling interests in a consolidated entity. In addition, segments’ non-cash items include any depreciation in reported profit or loss. The New Energy segment figures include the Company’s direct micro fuel cell operations.  As a result of the suspension of the MTI Micro operations in late 2011, the New Energy segment will continue to be included in these tables as long as they remain in our consolidated operations. 

(Dollars in thousands)	Test and  Measurement  Instrumentation		New  Energy			Other			Reconciling Items		Condensed Consolidated Totals
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Product revenue	$	2,200	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	2,200
Unfunded research and product development expenses		340		—			—			—		340
Selling, general and administrative expenses		509		24			286			—		819
Segment profit (loss) from operations before non-controlling interest		254		(38	)		(150	)		—		66
Segment profit (loss)		254		(38	)		(150	)		20		86
Total assets		1,983		85			2,444			—		4,512
Capital expenditures		41		—			—			—		41
Depreciation		21		3			—			—		24

(Dollars in thousands)	Test and  Measurement  Instrumentation			New  Energy			Other		Reconciling Items			Condensed Consolidated Totals
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Product revenue	$	1,204		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	1,204
Unfunded research and product development expenses (income)		374			(1	)		—			—		373
Selling, general and administrative expenses		518			37			537			—		1,092
Segment loss from operations before non-controlling interest		(478	)		(28	)		(330	)		—		(836	)
Segment (loss) profit		(478	)		(28	)		(330	)		14		(822	)
Total assets		1,833			85			3,573			—		5,491
Capital expenditures		3			—			—			—		3
Depreciation		25			13			—			—		38

The following table presents the details of “Other” segment loss:

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013		2012
Corporate and other (expenses) income:
Salaries and benefits	$	(78)	$	(352)
Other (expense) income, net		(73)		22
Income tax benefit		1		—
Total “Other” segment loss	$	(150)	$	(330)

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Inventories - Components of inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 295	$ 265
Work in process	266	482
Raw materials	353	371
Total	$ 914	$ 1,118

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Line of Credit (Detail Textuals) (MTI Instruments, Line of Credit, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 20, 2011 First Niagara Bank N.A.
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Working capital line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 400	$ 400
Floor interest rate per annum		4.00%
Line balance to be held by MTI instruments for 30 consecutive days out during each consecutive year		$ 0

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Subsequent Events

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

15.       Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events and transactions through the date of this filing for potential recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements and has noted the following:

The Company has appointed Kevin G. Lynch as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective May 1, 2013. Mr. Lynch had served as the Acting Chief Executive Officer, in an advisory role, since September 12, 2012. In connection with his permanent appointment, Mr. Lynch will receive an annual base salary of $260 thousand and will be eligible for annual bonus of up to $200 thousand based upon achieving milestones as established by the Board of Directors. Mr. Lynch will also receive options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price based on the closing market price of $0.46 per share on the date of grant.

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Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]

Schedule of changes in common shares issued and treasury stock

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013	Year Ended December  31, 2012
Common Shares
Balance, beginning	6,261,975	6,259,975
Issuance of shares for common stock grants	—	2,000
Balance, ending	6,261,975	6,261,975
Treasury Stock
Balance, beginning	1,005,092	1,005,092
Balance, ending	1,005,092	1,005,092

Schedule of common shares reserved for future issuance

Stock options outstanding	293,119
Common stock available for future equity awards or issuance of options	437,500
Number of common shares reserved	730,619

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Commitments and Contingencies - A reconciliation of changes in product warranty liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance, January 1	$ 20	$ 26
Accruals for warranties issued	7	3
Settlements made (in cash or in kind)	(5)	(3)
Balance, end of period	$ 22	$ 26

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Issuance of Common Stock, Warrants and Stock Options by MTI Micro - Changes in ownership between the Company and non-controlling interests (NCI) (Details) (MTI Micro, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Balance	157,623,044	157,623,044
Ownership by MTI	47.61%	47.61%
Ownership by NCI	52.39%	52.39%
Balance	157,623,044	157,623,044
MTI
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Balance	75,049,937	75,049,937
Average Price	0.07	0.07
Balance	75,049,937	75,049,937
Non-Controlling Interest (NCI)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Balance	82,573,107	82,573,107
Average Price	0.07	0.07
Balance	82,573,107	82,573,107

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in-Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock	Total MTI Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	Non-Controlling Interest (NCI)	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 63	$ 135,389	$ (120,097)	$ (13,754)	$ 1,601	$ 3,314	$ 4,915
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	6,259,975			1,005,092
Increase (Decrease) in changes in Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributed to MTI			(2,086)		(2,086)		(2,086)
Stock based compensation		171			171		171
Issuance of shares - common stock		1			1		1
Issuance of shares - common stock (in shares)	2,000
Net loss attributed to NCI						(3)	(3)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	63	135,561	(122,183)	(13,754)	(313)	3,311	2,998
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	6,261,975			1,005,092
Increase (Decrease) in changes in Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributed to MTI			86		86		86
Stock based compensation		5			5		5
Net loss attributed to NCI						(20)	(20)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 63	$ 135,566	$ (122,097)	$ (13,754)	$ (222)	$ 3,291	$ 3,069
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013	6,261,975			1,005,092

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Inventories

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

4.             Inventories

Inventories consist of the following at:

(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Finished goods	$	295	$	265
Work in process		266		482
Raw materials		353		371
Total	$	914	$	1,118

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Issuance of Common Stock, Warrants and Stock Options by MTI Micro (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Issuance Of Stock Warrants To Variable Interest Entity and Stock Option [Abstract]

Schedule of changes in ownership between company and non controlling interests in common shares of variable interest entity

		MTI		Non Controlling Interest (NCI)
	Average Price	Shares	Ownership %	Shares	Ownership %	Total Shares
Balance at 12/31/12	$0.07	75,049,937	47.61	82,573,107	52.39	157,623,044
Balance at 3/31/13	$0.07	75,049,937	47.61	82,573,107	52.39	157,623,044

Schedule of common shares reserved for future issuance broken down between company and NCI

	MTI	NCI	Total
Stock options outstanding	—	1,140,240	1,140,240
Warrants outstanding	32,904,136	12,196,411	45,100,547
Number of shares reserved for outstanding options and warrants	32,904,136	13,336,651	46,240,787

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Stockholders' Equity - Changes in common shares issued and treasury stock (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Common Stock	Dec. 31, 2012 Common Stock	Mar. 31, 2013 Treasury Stock	Dec. 31, 2012 Treasury Stock	Dec. 31, 2011 Treasury Stock
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance (in shares)	6,261,975	6,259,975	1,005,092	1,005,092	1,005,092
Issuance of shares for common stock grants		2,000
Balance (in shares)	6,261,975	6,261,975	1,005,092	1,005,092	1,005,092

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New Accounting Pronouncements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

New Accounting Pronouncements

14.          New Accounting Pronouncements

There are no recently issued accounting standards or standards with pending adoptions that the Company’s management currently anticipates will have any material impact upon its financial statements.