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				(35,684)		(35,684)
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs		8,716				8,716
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs(in shares)	640,371
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 the payment of taxes		332				332
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for the payment of taxes, shares	419
Minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards		(5)				(5)
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities			(861)			(861)
Transfer to realized loss upon sale of available for sale securities			484			484
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				(10,565)		(10,565)
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs	$ 2	6,650				6,652
Common stock and common stock purchase warrants issued, net of issuance costs(in shares)	1,902,593
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for the payment of taxes		97				97
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for the 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 Dec. 31, 2019	$ 3	$ 319,758		$ (302,439)	$ (258)	$ 17,064
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2019	3,339,541