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Demand note payable and convertible debentures - related party (Details) (USD $)
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0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Mar. 31, 2014
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Dec. 31, 2013
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May 11, 2009
Director and Chief Executive Officer
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May 11, 2009
Director and Chief Executive Officer
Ilios
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Mar. 31, 2014
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Mar. 26, 2014
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Dec. 31, 2013
Michaelson Capital Special Finance Fund LP. [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Michaelson Capital Special Finance Fund LP. [Member]
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Jan. 06, 2014
Demand notes
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Mar. 31, 2014
Demand notes
Minimum
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Mar. 31, 2014
Demand notes
Maximum
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May 11, 2009
Demand notes
Director and Chief Executive Officer
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Oct. 03, 2013
Demand notes
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Nov. 30, 2012
Demand notes
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Sep. 07, 2011
Demand notes
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Sep. 10, 2008
Demand notes
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Oct. 18, 2013
Convertible debentures
Common stock
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Dec. 31, 2012
Convertible debentures
Common stock
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Sep. 30, 2012
Convertible debentures
Conversion of principal amount
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Sep. 30, 2012
Convertible debentures
Conversion of accrued interest
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May 11, 2009
Convertible debentures
Director and Chief Executive Officer
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Mar. 31, 2014
Convertible debentures
Director and Chief Executive Officer
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Sep. 24, 2001
Convertible debentures
Director and Chief Executive Officer
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Mar. 31, 2014
Convertible debentures
Director and Chief Executive Officer
Common stock
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Sep. 24, 2011
Convertible debentures
Director and Chief Executive Officer
Common stock
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Sep. 30, 2009
Convertible debentures
Investor, Joseph J. Ritchie [Member]
Common stock
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Sep. 30, 2009
Convertible debentures
Investor, Joseph J. Ritchie [Member]
Conversion of principal amount
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Sep. 30, 2009
Convertible debentures
Investor, Joseph J. Ritchie [Member]
Conversion of accrued interest
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Sep. 24, 2001
Convertible debentures
Member of board of directors
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May 11, 2009
Convertible debentures
Member of board of directors
Conversion of principal amount
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Oct. 18, 2013
Convertible debentures
Member of board of directors
Conversion of accrued interest
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Sep. 24, 2011
Convertible debentures
Member of board of directors
Conversion of accrued interest
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May 11, 2009
Convertible debentures
Member of board of directors
Conversion of accrued interest
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Oct. 18, 2013
Convertible debentures
Member of board of directors
Conversion of Accrued Interest Amount in 2012 [Member]
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Sep. 24, 2001
Convertible debentures
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Dec. 31, 2013
Convertible debentures
Michaelson Capital Special Finance Fund LP. [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Convertible debentures
Michaelson Capital Special Finance Fund LP. [Member]
Common stock
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Dec. 31, 2013
Convertible debentures
Michaelson Capital Special Finance Fund LP. [Member]
Common stock
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Mar. 25, 2013
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Mar. 25, 2013
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes Payable and Line of Credit, Related Parties, Current | $ 0 | $ 2,950,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand notes payable, related party, current | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | 1,750,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related party debt, stated interest rate | 5.00% | 6.00% | 6.00% | 6.00% | 6.00% | 5.00% | 6.00% | 4.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount | 450,000 | 300,000 | 750,000 | 250,000 | 330,000 | 200,000 | 100,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debentures accrued interest, first payment from issuance date | 6 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion price in usd per share | $ 1.20 | $ 1.20 | $ 1.20 | $ 2.00 | $ 1.20 | $ 4.50 | $ 3.20 | $ 5.40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of shares of subsidiary common stock sold by the Company | 1,400,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiary common stock sold by the Company, price in usd per share | $ 0.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extinguishment of debt, principal amount | 427,432 | 109,033 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extinguishment of debt, accrued interest | 163,535 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maximum borrowing capacity | 1,500,000 | 3,500,000 | 1,500,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt conversion, amount converted | 90,967 | 100,000 | 6,100 | 30,000 | 14,433 | 109,033 | 72,960 | 90,967 | 1,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt conversion, number of shares issued | 75,806 | 85,242 | 37,028 | 185.19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issuable upon conversion | 555,556 | 970 | 2,161 | 555,556 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible debentures, related party, current | 4,367 | 6,913 | 3,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding | 1,200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Term | 3 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Convertible, Accrue Rate After Occurrence and During Continuance | 8.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Convertible, Accrue Rate After Occurrence and During Continuance, Other Default | 2.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Convertible, Threshold Consecutive Trading Days | 20 days | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Convertible, If-converted Value in Excess of Principal | 150,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Repurchase, Percentage of Principal and Interest | 120.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related party ownership percentage | 6.40% | 6.40% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Issuance Cost | $ 140,433 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||