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Subsequent events (Details) (USD $)
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9 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sep. 30, 2013
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Sep. 30, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Nov. 14, 2013
Subsequent Event
|
Sep. 30, 2013
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
|
Nov. 30, 2012
Demand notes
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
|
Sep. 07, 2011
Demand notes
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
|
Sep. 10, 2008
Demand notes
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
|
Oct. 03, 2013
Demand notes
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
Subsequent Event
|
Sep. 24, 2001
Convertible debentures
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
|
Sep. 24, 2001
Convertible debentures
Member of board of directors
|
Sep. 30, 2013
Convertible debentures
Common stock
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Convertible debentures
Common stock
|
Oct. 18, 2013
Convertible debentures
Common stock
Subsequent Event
|
May 11, 2009
Convertible debentures
Common stock
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
|
Oct. 18, 2013
Conversion of accrued interest in 2012
Convertible debentures
Member of board of directors
|
May 11, 2009
Conversion of accrued interest
Convertible debentures
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
|
Oct. 18, 2013
Conversion of accrued interest
Convertible debentures
Member of board of directors
|
Sep. 24, 2011
Conversion of accrued interest
Convertible debentures
Member of board of directors
|
May 11, 2009
Conversion of accrued interest
Convertible debentures
Member of board of directors
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| Subsequent Event [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount | $ 300,000 | $ 750,000 | $ 250,000 | $ 450,000 | $ 100,000 | $ 200,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Related party debt, stated interest rate | 6.00% | 6.00% | 5.00% | 6.00% | ||||||||||||||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | 744,378 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Share Price | $ 4.50 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | 3,349,700 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt conversion, amount converted | 0 | (480,000) | 90,967 | 72,568 | 72,960 | 90,967 | ||||||||||||||
| Debt conversion, number of shares issued | 75,806 | 1,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of convertible debentures, related party | 90,967 | 90,967 | 6,913 | 4,366 | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issuable upon conversion | 75,806 | 75,806 | 2,161 | 970 | ||||||||||||||||
| Maximum borrowing capacity | $ 1,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion price in usd per share | $ 1.20 | $ 0.50 | $ 3.20 | $ 4.50 | ||||||||||||||||