CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock	Paid-In Capital.	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit.	Treasury Stock	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1	$ 297,277	$ 287	$ (256,190)	$ (258)	$ 41,117
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017	555,806
Net loss				(27,012)		(27,012)
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs		5,917				5,917
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs(in shares)	353,909
Common stock, warrants and options issued for acquisition of Alabama Graphite		6,483				6,483
Common stock, warrants and options issued for acquisition of Alabama Graphite, shares	232,504
Common stock issued for consulting services		95				95
Common stock issued for consulting services, shares	3,455
Common stock issued for purchase of lithium mineral interests		114				114
Common stock issued for purchase of lithium mineral interests, shares	4,000
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes		308				308
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes, shares	419
Minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards		(5)				(5)
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities			(777)			(777)
Transfer to realized loss upon sale of available-for-sale securities			484			484
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 1	310,189	(6)	(283,202)	(258)	26,724
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2018	1,150,093
Balance at Jun. 30, 2018	$ 1	308,857	(676)	(280,065)	(258)	27,859
Balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2018	943,419
Net loss				(3,137)		(3,137)
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs		1,186				1,186
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs(in shares)	206,674
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes		146				146
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities			279			279
Transfer to realized loss upon sale of available-for-sale securities			391			391
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 1	310,189	(6)	(283,202)	(258)	26,724
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2018	1,150,093
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 1	313,012	(90)	(291,874)	(258)	20,791
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2018	1,436,555
Net loss				(7,783)		(7,783)
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs	$ 1	2,628				2,629
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs(in shares)	688,208
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes		254				254
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes, shares	393
Minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards		(1)				(1)
Transfer to realized loss upon sale of available-for-sale securities			90			90
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 2	315,893	0	(299,657)	(258)	15,980
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2019	2,125,156
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 2	314,179		(297,823)	(258)	16,100
Balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2019	1,658,371
Net loss				(1,834)		(1,834)
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs		1,475				1,475
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs(in shares)	466,785
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes		239				239
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 2	$ 315,893	$ 0	$ (299,657)	$ (258)	$ 15,980
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2019	2,125,156