Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2018 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 28	$ 297,250	$ 287	$ (256,190)	$ (258)	$ 41,117
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017	27,790,324
Net loss				(23,876)		(23,876)
Common stock issued, net of issuance costs	$ 7	3,083				3,090
Common stock issued, net of issuance costs, shares	7,361,765
Prepaid warrant proceeds for common stock		1,640				1,640
Common stock, warrants and options issued for acquisition of Alabama Graphite	$ 12	6,472				6,484
Common stock, warrants and options issued for acquisition of Alabama Graphite, shares	11,625,210
Common stock issued for consulting services		95				95
Common stock issued for consulting services, shares	172,727
Common stock issued for purchase of lithium mineral interests		114				114
Common stock issued for purchase of lithium mineral interests, shares	200,000
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes		162				162
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes, shares	20,931
Minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards		(5)				(5)
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities			(1,056)			(1,056)
Transfer to realized loss upon sale of available for sale securities			93			93
Balance at Jun. 30, 2018	$ 47	$ 308,811	$ (676)	$ (280,066)	$ (258)	$ 27,858
Balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2018	47,170,957