Operating Segments and Related Information Sales and Revenue by Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Solar [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Solar [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Solar [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Solar [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Biomedical [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Biomedical [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Biomedical [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Biomedical [Member]	Mar. 09, 2012 Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]	Dec. 14, 2009 Medical Products Business Unit [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Disposal Date													Mar. 09, 2012	Dec. 14, 2009
Revenues	$ 4,154	$ 4,228	$ 10,966	$ 18,323	$ 2,445	$ 2,485	$ 5,783	$ 13,219	$ 1,709	$ 1,743	$ 5,183	$ 5,104
Operating Income (Loss) from continuing operations	$ (2,211)	$ (2,018)	$ (6,581)	$ (5,414)	$ (1,462)	$ (2,197)	$ (6,192)	$ (5,740)	$ (749)	$ 179	$ (389)	$ 326

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration