mti_10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________

FORM 10-Q
______________
 
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934
       FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2010
  OR
 
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
  ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ____ TO ______
______________
 
 
Mechanical Technology, Incorporated
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
______________
 
New York 0-6890 14-1462255
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)   Identification No.)

431 New Karner Road, Albany, New York 12205
(Address of registrant’s principal executive office)
 
(518) 533-2200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company x
(Do not check if a small reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12B-2 of the Act). Yes o No x
 
The number of shares of common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, outstanding as of May 12, 2010 was 4,771,658.
 


MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 2
      
Item 1. Financial Statements 2
 
         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010 (Unaudited) 2
 
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
       For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2010 3
 
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)
       For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2010 4
      
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
       For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2010 5
 
       Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 6
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 16
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 22
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 22
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 22
 
Item 1A.     Risk Factors 22
 
Item 5. Other Information 24
 
Item 6. Exhibits 24
 
SIGNATURES 25

1
 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
Mechanical Technology, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands) December 31, March 31,
     2009      2010
Assets
Current Assets:
       Cash and cash equivalents $ 785 $ 991
       Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts ($92 in 2009 and 2010) 1,142 892
       Inventories, net 789 748
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets 166 340
              Total Current Assets 2,882 2,971
Property, plant and equipment, net: 859 741
       Total Assets $ 3,741 $ 3,712
 
Current Liabilities:
       Accounts payable $ 323 $ 478
       Accrued liabilities 1,290 1,464
       Deferred revenue 16 16
       Income taxes payable 20 20
              Total Current Liabilities 1,649 1,978
                 
Long-Term Liabilities:
       Derivative liability 70 68
              Total Long-Term-Liabilities 70 68
              Total Liabilities 1,719 2,046
                 
Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):
       Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, authorized 75,000,000; 5,776,750 issued in
              both 2009 and 2010 58 58
       Paid-in-capital 133,286 134,190
       Accumulated deficit         (120,724 )  (121,958 )
       Common stock in treasury, at cost, 1,005,092 shares in both 2009 and 2010 (13,754 ) (13,754 )
              Total MTI stockholders’ deficit (1,134 ) (1,464 )
       Noncontrolling interest 3,156 3,130
              Total Equity 2,022 1,666
              Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 3,741 $ 3,712
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
2
 


Mechanical Technology, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share) Three Months Ended March 31,
     2009      2010
Product revenue $ 1,549 $ 1,267
Funded research and development revenue 357
       Total revenue 1,549 1,624
Operating costs and expenses:
       Cost of product revenue 665 544
       Research and product development expenses:
              Funded research and product development 770
              Unfunded research and product development 976 360
       Total research and product development expenses 976 1,130
       Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,377 1,856
Operating loss (1,469 ) (1,906 )
Interest expense (43 )
Gain on derivatives 18 2
Other (expense) income, net 21 (16 )
       Loss before income taxes and noncontrolling interest (1,473 ) (1,920 )
Income tax benefit (expense) 194
       Net loss, net of tax (1,279 ) (1,920 )
Plus: Net loss attributed to non-controlling interest 35 686
       Net loss attributed to MTI $              (1,244 ) $             (1,234 )
 
Loss per Share (Basic and Diluted):
Loss per share $ (0.26 ) $ (0.26 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
3
 


MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2009      2010
Common Stock
       Balance, beginning $ 58 $ 58
       Balance, ending $ 58 $ 58
 
Paid-In Capital
       Balance, beginning $ 132,781 $ 133,286
              Stock-based compensation 161 904
       Balance, ending $ 132,942   $ 134,190
 
Accumulated Deficit
       Balance, beginning $ (117,570 ) $ (120,724 )
              Net loss (1,244 ) (1,234 )
       Balance, ending $ (118,814 ) $ (121,958 )
 
Treasury Stock
       Balance, beginning $ (13,754 ) $ (13,754 )
       Balance, ending $ (13,754 ) $ (13,754 )
 
Noncontrolling Interest (NCI)
       Balance, beginning $ 11 $ 3,156
              Equity contribution 660
              Net loss attributed to NCI (35 ) (686 )
       Balance, ending $ (24 ) $ 3,130
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
       Balance, ending $ 408 $ 1,666
 
Total Comprehensive (Loss)
       Net loss $ (1,244 ) $ (1,234 )
              Other comprehensive (loss)
       Total comprehensive (loss) $ (1,244 ) $ (1,234 )
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
4
 


MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31,
     2009      2010
Operating Activities
Net (loss) $              (1,279 ) $              (1,920 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities:
       (Gain) loss on derivatives (18 ) (2 )
       Depreciation and amortization 175 131
       Stock based compensation 161 904
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Accounts receivable (26 ) 250
       Inventories 94 41
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets (110 ) (174 )
       Accounts payable 38 155
       Income taxes payable (213 )
       Deferred revenue 4
       Accrued liabilities (194 ) 174
Net cash used by operating activities (1,368 ) (441 )
Investing Activities
       Purchases of property, plant and equipment (13 )
Net cash provided by investing activities (13 )
Financing Activities
Net borrowings on related party debt 500
Proceeds from capital raise and warrants issued   660
Net cash provided by financing activities 500 660
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (868 ) 206
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 1,662 785
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 794 $ 991
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
5
 


MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY, INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
1. Description of Business
 
Mechanical Technology, Incorporated, (“MTI” or the “Company”), a New York corporation, was incorporated in 1961. MTI operates in two segments, the New Energy segment which is conducted through MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. (“MTI Micro”), a majority owned subsidiary, and the Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment, which is conducted through MTI Instruments, Inc. (“MTI Instruments”), a wholly owned subsidiary.
 
MTI Micro was incorporated in Delaware on March 26, 2001, and is developing Mobion®, a handheld energy-generating device to replace current lithium-ion and similar rechargeable battery systems in many handheld electronic devices for the military and consumer markets. Mobion® handheld generators are based on direct methanol fuel cell (DFMC) technology, which has been recognized as enabling technology for advanced portable power sources by the scientific community and industry analysts. As the need for advancements in portable power increases, MTI Micro is developing Mobion® as a solution for advancing current and future electronic device power needs and addressing the multi-billion dollar portable electronics market. As of March 31, 2010, the Company owned approximately 57.35% of MTI Micro’s outstanding common stock.
 
MTI Instruments was incorporated in New York on March 8, 2000. MTI Instruments is a worldwide supplier of precision non-contact physical measurement solutions, condition based monitoring systems, portable balance equipment and wafer inspection tools. MTI Instrument’s products use a comprehensive array of technologies to solve complex, real world applications in numerous industries including manufacturing, semiconductor, solar, commercial and military aviation, automotive and data storage. Our products consist of electronic gauging instruments for position, displacement and vibration application within the design, manufacturing/production, test and research market; wafer characterization of semi-insulating and semi-conducting wafers within both the semiconductor and solar industries; and engine vibration analysis systems for both military and commercial aircraft.
 
2. Liquidity and Going Concern
 
The Company has incurred significant losses as it continued to fund the direct methanol fuel cell product development and commercialization programs of its majority owned subsidiary, MTI Micro, and had a consolidated accumulated deficit of $122 million and working capital of $993 thousand at March 31, 2010. Because of these losses, limited current cash and cash equivalents, negative cash flows and accumulated deficit, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. These financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
 
At present, the Company does not expect to continue to fund MTI Micro on a long-term basis. The Company has projected positive cash flows to meet future cash requirements for operations and capital expenditures exclusive of MTI Micro, and has cash and cash equivalents of $991 thousand at March 31, 2010. Management believes that MTI Instruments will continue to generate positive cash flows and be able to fund its current operations. However, no assurance can be provided regarding MTI and MTI Instrument’s ability to continue as a going concern given the level of uncertainty involved with the parent company’s operations.
 
Since the Company will no longer fund MTI Micro on a long-term basis, the subsidiary has sought other sources of funding. In September 2008, MTI Micro closed on $2.2 million of funding in the form of convertible secured notes (the “Bridge Notes”) to investors (the “Bridge Investors”), including MTI, Dr. Walter L. Robb, a member of the Company’s and MTI Micro’s Boards of Directors, and Counter Point Ventures Fund II, LP (Counter Point). Counter Point is a venture capital fund sponsored and managed by Dr. Walter L. Robb. General Electric Pension Trust, an employee benefit plan trust, is a passive limited partner in Counter Point. In February 2009, MTI Micro issued additional bridge notes to Counter Point in the amount of $500 thousand. On April 15, 2009, MTI Micro, Counter Point and an additional investor agreed to additional bridge notes in the amount $800 thousand to be drawn down in increments not to exceed $165 thousand monthly. The final principal draw down occurred on December 4, 2009. The Bridge Notes carried an annual interest rate of 10%. On December 9, 2009, these bridge notes with the aggregate principal and accrued interest amount of $3,910,510 outstanding were converted into an aggregate of 55,864,425 shares of Common Stock of MTI Micro using a conversion price per share of $0.070 (the “Negotiated Conversion”).
 
On January 11, 2010, MTI Micro entered into a Common Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Counter Point. Through March 31, 2010, $660 thousand has been drawn against this Purchase Agreement. See Note 9 for further discussion of this transaction.
 
6
 


On April 16, 2009, MTI Micro was awarded a cost share funding grant of $2.4 million from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) as part of DOE’s $41.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for fuel cell technology. As of March 31, 2010, $2.37 million has been billed and paid by the DOE under this grant. On April 30, 2010, MTI Micro was approved for an extension of this grant to December 31, 2010, with additional funds available of $594 thousand under this program.
 
In order to continue full commercialization of its micro fuel cell solution, MTI Micro will need to do one or more of the following to raise additional resources, or reduce its cash requirements:
There is no guarantee that resources will be available to MTI Micro on terms acceptable to it, or at all, or that such resources will be received in a timely manner, if at all, or that MTI Micro will be able to reduce its expenditure run-rate further without materially and adversely affecting its business. MTI Micro had cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2010 of $214 thousand. Subsequent to March 31, 2010, MTI Micro has drawn down an additional $330 thousand under the Purchase Agreement with an additional $1.01 million of available borrowing capacity through the Purchase Agreement. However, the funds available through the Purchase Agreement are only available to us at increments of $330 thousand bi-monthly. Our next available draw down is July 2010. In addition, subsequent to March 31, 2010, MTI Micro received $349 thousand from the DOE for billings relative to work performed through March 31, 2010, and has an additional $437 thousand under the extension as work is performed. In order to conserve cash and extend operations while we pursue any additional necessary financing, we have reduced operating expenses in the first quarter of 2010. Without other resources, management currently believes it will have adequate funds to operate MTI Micro through the end of 2010.
 
3. Basis of Presentation
 
In the opinion of management, our Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q in Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
 
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
The information presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. All other information has been derived from the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
 
4. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance that requires reporting entities to make new disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair-value measurements, including significant transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair-value measurements and information on purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair-value measurements. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for Level 3 reconciliation disclosures that are effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2010. Our adoption of the currently effective portion of this guidance did not have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
7
 


5. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
Receivable balances consist of the following at:
 
(Dollars in thousands) Test and
Measurement Consolidated
     New Energy      Instrumentation      Totals
December 31, 2009
U.S. and State Government $ 143 $ $ 143
Commercial 1,091 1,091
     Total Accounts Receivable 143            1,091 1,234
Less: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (92 ) (92 )
     Total $ 143 $ 999 $        1,142
 
March 31, 2010
U.S. and State Government $ 191 $ 7 $ 198
Commercial 786   786
     Total Accounts Receivable 191 793 984
Less: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (92 ) (92 )
     Total $ 191 $ 701 $ 892
 

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010, a single commercial customer represented 11.1% and 12.1%, respectively, and a U.S. governmental agency represented 22.7% and 1.1%, respectively, of the Company’s instrumentation segment product revenue. As of December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010, this commercial customer represented 0.0% and 18.3%, respectively, and this U.S. governmental agency represented 0.0% and 0.9%, respectively, of the Company’s instrumentation segment accounts receivable.
 
As of December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010, 100% of the accounts receivable of the new energy segment is due from a U.S. governmental agency.
 
6. Inventories, net
 
Inventories, net consist of the following at:
 
(Dollars in thousands) Dec. 31, March 31,
     2009      2010
Finished goods $ 465 $ 263
Work in process 193   218
Raw materials, net 131 267
$ 789 $ 748
 

7. Income Taxes
 
The Company’s effective income tax (expense) rate from operations differed from the federal statutory rate for each of the three months ended March 31 as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)      2009      2010
Federal statutory tax rate 34.00 % 34.00 %
State taxes, net of federal tax effect 6.07 6.01
Change in valuation allowance (40.46 ) (40.05 )
Reversal of Uncertain Tax Position for NYS Settlement 13.17
Permanent tax difference on derivative valuation 0.42 0.04
Tax Rate 13.20 % 0.00 %
 

8
 


Income tax (expense) benefit for the three months ended March 31 consists of the following:
 
(Dollars in thousands)        
       2009      2010
Operations before noncontrolling interest
       Federal $ $
       State 194
       Deferred
       Total $ 194 $
 

The valuation allowance at December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010 was $26.4 million and $27.2 million, respectively, and represents a full valuation allowance. The valuation allowance reflects the estimate that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities may not be realized.
 
At March 31, 2010, the Company had unused Federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $66.4 million. Of these carry forwards, $1.3 million represents windfall tax benefits from stock option transactions, the tax effect of which are not included in the Company’s net deferred tax assets. Additionally, it is estimated that $6.69 million of these carryforwards will expire prior to utilization due to IRC Section 382 limitation described below. This net operating loss limited by IRC Section 382 is not reflected in the Company’s deferred tax asset as of March 31, 2010. The Federal net operating loss carry forwards, if unused, will begin to expire in 2010.
 
The Company's and/or its subsidiaries’ ability to utilize their net operating loss carryforwards may be significantly limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if the Company or any of its subsidiaries undergoes an “ownership change” as a result of changes in the ownership of the Company's or its subsidiaries’ outstanding stock pursuant to the exercise of the warrants or otherwise. A corporation generally undergoes an “ownership change” when the ownership of its stock, by value, changes by more than 50 percentage points over any three-year testing period. In the event of an ownership change, Section 382 imposes an annual limitation on the amount of post-ownership change taxable income a corporation may offset with pre-ownership change net operating loss carryforwards and certain recognized built-in losses. As of March 31, 2010, although no formal Section 382 study has been performed, the Company does not appear to have had an ownership change for Section 382 purposes. However, as noted below, it appears that as a result of MTI Micro’s conversion of the Bridge Notes (combined with the Company’s ownership changes) MTI Micro appears to have had an ownership change for Section 382 purposes, which places limitations on the utilization of MTI Micro’s separate company net operating loss carryforwards.
 
As a result of the conversion of the Bridge Notes, MTI no longer maintains an 80% or greater ownership in MTI Micro. Thus, MTI Micro will no longer be included in Mechanical Technology, Inc. and Subsidiaries' consolidated federal and combined New York State tax returns, effective December 9, 2009. Additionally, as the result of conversion, MTI Micro may have experienced a Section 382 ownership change which subjects MTI Micro's separate company net operating losses to an annual Section 382 limitation.
 
Pursuant to the Internal Revenue Service's consolidated tax return regulations (IRS Regulation Section 1.1502 -36), upon MTI Micro leaving the Mechanical Technology, Inc. and Subsidiaries consolidated group, MTI is permitted to elect to reduce a portion of its stock tax basis in MTI Micro by "reattributing" a portion of MTI Micro's net operating loss carry forwards to MTI, for an amount equivalent to its built in loss amount in MTI's investment in MTI Micro's stock.
 
As the result of MTI anticipating that it will make this election with its December 31, 2009 tax return, MTI will reattribute approximately $45.2 million of MTI Micro's net operating losses (reducing its tax basis in MTI Micro's stock by the same amount), leaving MTI Micro with approximately $13 million of separate company net operating loss carry forwards at the time of conversion of the Bridge Notes. However, as noted above, as the result of a Section 382 limitation, caused by the conversion, it is estimated that $6.69 million of these net operating losses will expire prior to utilization.
 
As of March 31, 2010, it is estimated that MTI had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $52.4 million and MTI Micro has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $14.0 million (with a portion, as noted above, being subject to IRC Section 382 limitation).
 
On February 2, 2009, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance notified the Company that it was no longer going to pursue the issue associated with potentially not permitting the Company to file combined tax returns for the period 2002 through 2004. The Company had recorded a $213 thousand long-term liability for this issue. In settlement of this issue, the Company paid New York State approximately $19 thousand, and recognized the benefit of the reversal of this liability of $194 thousand in the first quarter of 2009.
 
9
 


8. Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
 
Changes in common shares issued and treasury stock outstanding are as follows:
 
Year Ended Three Months Ended
      Dec. 31, 2009       March 31, 2010
Common Shares
Balance, beginning 5,776,750 5,776,750
Balance, ending 5,776,750 5,776,750
 
Warrants/Derivatives
 
On December 20, 2006, the Company issued warrants to investors to purchase 378,472 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $18.16 per share.
 
The Company held or has outstanding the following derivative financial instruments:
 
Dec. 31, March 31,
      2009       2010       Expiration
Derivatives issued:
Warrants, exercisable beginning June 20, 2007, to purchase the Company’s
       common stock issued to three investors at a purchase price of $18.16 per
       share 378,472 378,472 12/19/2011

The estimated fair value of this warrant at time of issue was determined using a Black-Scholes Option Pricing model and assumptions similar to those used for valuing the Company’s employee stock-based compensation.
 
On January 1, 2009, we adopted a newly issued accounting standard regarding disclosure of derivative instruments. We recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure these instruments at fair value. The fair value of the derivative is recorded in the “Derivative liability” line on the financial statements, and is valued quarterly using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model. The significant assumptions used for the valuations are as follows:
 
Dec. 31, March 31,
      2009       2010
Expected life of option (number of days) 730 639
Risk-free interest rate 1.14 % 1.02 %
Expected volatility of stock 162.7 % 177.0 %
Expected dividend yield None None

The fair value of the warrants at December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010 was $70 thousand and $68 thousand, respectively. Gains on derivatives are included in “Gain on derivatives” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the three month periods ending March 31, 2009 and 2010 the Company recognized a gain on derivatives of $18 thousand and $2 thousand, respectively.
 
The Company accounts for derivative instruments and embedded derivative instruments in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The standard requires freestanding contracts that are settled in a company's own stock, including common stock warrants, to be designated as an equity instrument, asset or a liability. A contract designated as an asset or a liability must be carried at fair value, with any changes in fair value recorded in the results of operations. A contract designated as an equity instrument can be included in equity, with no fair value adjustments required. Based on the terms and conditions of the warrants discussed above, the instrument does not qualify to be designated as an equity instrument and is therefore recorded as a derivative liability.
 
Reservation of Shares
 
The Company has reserved common shares for future issuance as of March 31, 2010 as follows:
 
Stock options outstanding       704,527
Stock options available for issuance 322,466
Warrants outstanding 378,472
Number of common shares reserved 1,405,465
     
10
 


On September 19, 2009, the Company amended its 2006 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the shares authorized for issuance by 350,000 shares.
 
Loss per Share
 
The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations for the three months ended March 31:
 
(Dollars in thousands, except shares)
      2009       2010
Numerator:
Net loss $ (1,244 ) $ (1,234 )
 
Denominator:
Basic EPS:
Common shares outstanding, beginning of period 4,772,359 4,771,658
Less weighted average non-vested restricted stock
Denominator for basic earnings per common shares –
       Weighted average common shares 4,772,359 4,771,658
                 
Diluted EPS:
Common shares outstanding, beginning of period 4,772,359 4,771,658
Less weighted average non-vested restricted stock due to anti-dilutive effect
Denominator for diluted earnings per common shares –
       Weighted average common shares 4,772,359 4,771,658
                 
Not included in the computation of earnings per share, assuming dilution for the three months ended March 31, 2009, were options to purchase 702,864 shares of the Company’s common stock, warrants to purchase 378,472 shares of the Company’s common stock, and options to purchase 22,668 shares of MTI Micro’s common stock. These potentially dilutive items were excluded because the Company incurred a loss for this period and their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
 
Not included in the computation of earnings per share, assuming dilution for the three months ended March 31, 2010, were options to purchase 704,527 shares of the Company’s common stock, warrants to purchase 378,472 shares of the Company’s common stock, and options to purchase 28,311,801 shares of MTI Micro’s common stock. These potentially dilutive items were excluded because the Company incurred a loss for this period and their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
 
9. Issuance of Stock, Warrants and Stock Options by Subsidiary
 
Common Stock Issued – MTI Micro
 
MTI Micro was formed on March 26, 2001, and as of March 31, 2010, the Company owned approximately 57.35% of MTI Micro’s outstanding common stock.
 
On January 11, 2010, MTI Micro entered into a Common Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Counter Point Ventures Fund II, L.P. (“Counter Point”). Counter Point is managed by Dr. Walter L. Robb, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and MTI Micro, and is a current stockholder of MTI Micro. Dr. Robb and Counter Point beneficially held approximately 29.5% of the fully-diluted common stock of MTI Micro of December 31, 2009, and as of March 31, 2010 hold an aggregate of approximately 34.2% of the fully-diluted common stock of MTI Micro.
 
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, MTI Micro may issue and sell to Counter Point up to 28,571,429 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Micro Common Stock”), at a purchase price per share of $0.070, over a period of twelve (12) months, and warrants (“Warrants”) to purchase shares of Micro Common Stock equal to 20% of the shares of Micro Common Stock purchased under the Purchase Agreement at an exercise price of $0.070 per share. The sale and issuance of the Micro Common Stock and Warrants shall occur over multiple closings (each, a “Closing”) occurring over two (2) one month closing periods and five (5) two-month closing periods (each, a “Closing Period”). Three Closings occurred through March 31, 2010, with MTI Micro raising $660 thousand from the sale of 9,428,571 shares of Micro Common Stock and Warrants to purchase 1,885,714 shares of Micro Common Stock to Counter Point. One Closing occurred on May 12, 2010, with MTI Micro raising an additional $330 thousand from the sale of 4,714,286 shares of Micro Common Stock and Warrants to purchase 942,857 shares of Micro Common Stock to Counter Point. Subsequent Closings may occur thereafter at MTI Micro’s sole discretion during the Closing Periods upon delivery of written notice by MTI Micro to Counter Point of its desire to consummate a Closing, and Counter Point’s acceptance of such offer under the Purchase Agreement on the terms agreed upon with MTI Micro. In the event the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement no longer reflect current market conditions or otherwise, either party may elect not to participate in a Subsequent Closing(s) or the parties may amend the Purchase Agreement on mutually agreeable terms with respect to such Subsequent Closing(s). If MTI Micro was to issue and sell the remainder of the 28,571,429 shares under the Purchase Agreement, the remainder of the 5,714,286 warrants under the Purchase Agreement were exercised, as well as all warrants currently outstanding as detailed below, the Company would continue to hold an aggregate of 55.8% of the fully-diluted capital stock of MTI Micro. Further dilution to the Company’s ownership percentage could occur if and when MTI Micro Stock Options are exercised.
 
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The following table represents all MTI Micro common stock shares issued.
 
MTI Non Controlling Interest
Average Ownership Ownership
      Price       Shares       %       Shares       %       Total Shares
Balance at 12/31/2007 46,030,453 96.3 1,750,345 3.7 47,780,798
  
Stock issued for MTI Options to MFC Employees $0.45 31,469 31,469
  
       Transfer of Plug Power securities to MFC $0.35 7,319,181 7,319,181
  
       Conversion of Loan Receivable $0.24 10,416,667 10,416,667
 
Balance at 12/31/08 63,797,770 97.3 1,750,345 2.7 65,548,115
 
Stock issued for MTI Options to MFC Employees $0.14 10,501 10,501
 
       Conversion of Bridge Loan $0.07 11,241,666 44,622,759 55,864,425
 
Balance at 12/31/09 75,049,937 61.8 46,373,104 38.2 121,423,041
 
       Common Stock issued under Purchase Agreement $0.07 9,428,571 9,428,571
 
Balance at 03/31/10 75,049,937 57.35 55,801,675 42.65 130,851,612
 
Warrants Issued – MTI Micro
 
On December 9, 2009, MTI Micro issued warrants to the current shareholders of MTI Micro, including the Company, without consideration, to purchase 32,779,310 shares of MTI Micro Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The warrants become exercisable on December 9, 2010 and expire on December 8, 2017. The warrants have been accounted for as an equity distribution of $2,030 thousand, including warrants to the Company with a value of $1,974 thousand that were eliminated in consolidation.
 
On December 9, 2009, MTI Micro issued warrants to the Bridge Investors of MTI Micro, including the Company, to purchase 5,081,237 shares of MTI Micro Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The Warrants became exercisable on December 9, 2009 and will expire on the earlier of: (i) April 15, 2014; (ii) immediately prior to a change in control; or (iii) immediately prior to an initial public offering of MTI Micro. The warrants were issued without consideration and were accounted for as equity and a loss on extinguishment of debt was recorded in the amount of $289 thousand, including warrants to the Company with a value of $57 thousand that were eliminated in consolidation.
 
On January 11, February 11 and March 4, 2010, MTI Micro issued warrants to Counter Point to purchase 471,429, 471,429, and 942,857 shares, respectively, of MTI Micro Stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share, under the Purchase Agreement. The warrants become exercisable on the date of issuance and will expire on the earlier of (a) the five (5) year anniversary of the Date of Issuance of the Warrant; (b) immediately prior to a Change of Control; or (c) the closing of a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act. The warrants were accounted for as equity.
 
Stock Based Compensation
 
On February 10, 2010 MTI Micro granted 28,296,800 options to its employees from the 2009 Micro Stock Option Plan. The options vest 50% on the grant date and 50% ratably on a quarterly basis on the last day of each calendar quarter over the next three years. The fair value of these stock options granted was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes Option Pricing model consistent with the accounting standards.
 
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The key inputs and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of these stock options were as follows:
 
Option term       5 years
Volatility 115%
Risk-free interest rate 2.39%
Dividend yield 0%
Fair value per option granted $0.07

The amount of expense recognized for this grant was $833 thousand for the three month period ending March 31, 2010. Share-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, therefore, awards are reduced for estimated forfeitures. The accounting standard requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company has assumed a forfeiture rate of 5% for this grant.
 
10. Fair Value Measurement
 
The estimated fair value of certain financial instruments, including cash, cash equivalents and short-term debt approximates their carrying value due to their short maturities and varying interest rates. “Fair value” is the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation methods, the Company is required to provide the following information according to the fair value accounting standards. These standards established a fair value hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial assets and liabilities are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
 
Level 1:       Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, which includes listed equities.
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. These items are typically priced using models or other valuation techniques. These models are primarily financial industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including the time value of money, yield curves, volatility factors, as well as other relevant economic measures.
Level 3: These use unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. These values are generally estimated based upon methodologies utilizing significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources.
 
In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performs a detailed analysis of financial assets and liabilities. At each reporting period, all assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurements are based upon significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3. The derivative liability is valued using the Black-Sholes Option Pricing Model which is based upon unobservable inputs.
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s fair value instruments categorized by their associated fair value input level:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at
March 31,
Balance Sheet Classification       Level 1       Level 2       Level 3       2010
Financial Liabilities:
       Derivative liability $   $ $ 68 $ 68
Total fair value of liabilities $ $ $ 68 $ 68
                         
The following is a rollforward of Level 3 fair value instruments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Total (Gains) /
Beginning Losses Purchases, Ending
Balance as of Realized and Issuances, Sales Balance as of
Instrument       Jan. 1, 2009       Unrealized       and Settlements       Dec. 31, 2009
       Derivative liability $ 41 $ 29 $ $ 70
Total Level 3 instruments $ 41 $ 29 $ $ 70
                         
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The following is a rollforward of Level 3 fair value instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2010:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Total (Gains) /
Beginning Losses Purchases, Ending
Balance as of Realized and Issuances, Sales Balance as of
Instrument       Jan. 1, 2010       Unrealized       and Settlements       March 31, 2010
       Derivative liability $ 70 $ (2 ) $ $ 68
Total Level 3 instruments $ 70 $ (2 ) $ $ 68
                           
11. Segment Information
 
The Company operates in two business segments, New Energy and Test and Measurement Instrumentation. The New Energy segment is focused on commercializing direct methanol fuel cells. The Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment designs, manufactures, markets and services high performance test and measurement instruments and systems, wafer characterization tools for the semiconductor and solar industries and computer-based balancing systems for aircraft engines. The Company’s principal operations are located in North America.
 
The accounting policies of the New Energy and Test and Measurement Instrumentation segments are similar to those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company evaluates performance based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes, accounting changes, items management does not deem relevant to segment performance, and interest income and expense. Inter-segment sales and expenses are not significant.
 
Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table. The “Other” column includes corporate related items and items such as income taxes or unusual items, which are not allocated to reportable segments. The “Reconciling Items” column includes noncontrolling interests in a consolidated subsidiary. In addition, segments’ non-cash items include any depreciation and amortization in reported profit or loss.
 
(Dollars in thousands) Test and Condensed
Measurement Reconciling Consolidated
      New Energy       Instrumentation       Other       Items       Totals
Three months ended March 31, 2009
Product revenue $ $ 1,549 $ $ $ 1,549
Funded research and development revenue
Research and product development expenses 690 286 976
Selling, general and administrative expenses 513 483 381 1,377
Gain on sale of securities available for sale
Segment loss from operations before income taxes
       and noncontrolling interest (1,297 ) (7 ) (169 ) (1,473 )
Segment (loss) profit (1,292 ) (7 ) 25 30 (1,244 )
Total assets 1,383 2,226 901 4,510
Depreciation and amortization 134 28 13 175
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2010
Product revenue $ 1,267 1,267
Funded research and development revenue 357 357
Research and product development expenses 868 262 1,130
Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,108 472 276 1,856
Segment (loss) / profit from operations before
       income taxes and noncontrolling interest (1,621 ) (135 ) (150 ) (1,906 )
Segment (loss) profit (1,635 ) (135 ) (150 ) 686 (1,234 )
Total assets 1,068 1,623 1,021 3,712
Securities available for sale
Capital expenditures 13 13
Depreciation and amortization 103 23 5 131

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The following table presents the details of “Other” segment (loss) profit:
 
(Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended
March 31,
      2009       2010
Corporate and other (expenses) income:
       Depreciation and amortization $ (13 ) $ (5 )
       Interest income 18
       Gain on derivatives 18 2
       Income tax (expense) benefit 194
       Other expense, net (192 ) (147 )
Total income (expense) $ 25 $ (150 )
 
12. Commitments and Contingencies
 
Leases
 
The Company and its subsidiaries lease certain manufacturing, laboratory and office facilities. The leases generally provide for the Company to pay either an increase over a base year level for taxes, maintenance, insurance and other costs of the leased properties or the Company’s allocated share of insurance, taxes, maintenance and other costs of leased properties. The leases contain renewal provisions.
 
The Company’s future minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases are (dollars in thousands): $312 remaining in 2010, $271 in 2011 and $273 in 2012 and $283 in 2013 and $270 for 2014 and thereafter.
 
Warranties
 
Below is a reconciliation of changes in product warranty liabilities:
 
(Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended
March 31,
      2009       2010
Balance, January 1 $ 31 $ 21
Accruals for warranties issued 8 6
Settlements made (in cash or in kind) (4 ) (3 )
Balance, end of period $ 35 $ 24
 
Licenses
 
Under a 2002 NYSERDA contract, MTI Micro agreed to pay NYSERDA a royalty of 5.0% of the sales price of any product sold incorporating IP developed pursuant to the NYSERDA contract. If the product is manufactured by a New York State manufacturer, this royalty is reduced to 1.5%. Total royalties are subject to a cap equal to two times the total contract funds paid by NYSERDA to MTI Micro, and may be reduced to reflect any New York State jobs created by MTI Micro.
 
Employment Agreements
 
The Company has employment agreements with certain employees that provide severance payments, certain other payments, accelerated vesting and exercise extension periods of certain options upon termination of employment under certain circumstances, as defined in the applicable agreements. As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s potential minimum cash obligation to these employees was approximately $693 thousand.
 
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Mechanical Technology, Incorporated, a New York Corporation, “MTI Micro” refers to MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc., a Delaware corporation and our majority owned subsidiary, and “MTI Instruments” refers to MTI Instruments, Inc., a New York corporation and our wholly owned subsidiary. We have a registered trademark in the United States for “Mobion.” Other trademarks, trade names, and service marks used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are the property of their respective owners.
 
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 contained in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
In addition to historical information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements, which involve risk and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ include those discussed in Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
Overview
 
MTI operates in two segments, the New Energy segment conducted through MTI MicroFuel Cells, Inc. (MTI Micro) and the Test and Measurement Instrumentation segment, through MTI Instruments, Inc. (MTI Instruments).
 
New Energy Segment - MTI Micro is developing and commercializing off-the-grid power solutions for various portable electronic devices. Our patented proprietary direct methanol fuel cell technology platform called Mobion, converts 100% methanol fuel to usable electricity capable of providing continuous power as long as necessary fuel flows are maintained. Our proprietary fuel cell power solution consists of two primary components integrated in an easily manufactured device: the direct methanol fuel cell power engine, which we refer to as our Mobion Chip, and methanol fuel cartridges. Our current Mobion Chip weighs less than one ounce and is small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand. The methanol used by the technology is fully biodegradable. We have demonstrated power density of over 84 mW/cm 2, while producing more than 1,800 Wh/kg or 1.4 Wh/cc of fuel from its direct methanol fuel feed. For these reasons, we believe our technology offers a superior power solution compared to current lithium-ion and similar rechargeable battery systems currently used by original equipment manufacturers and branded partners, or OEMs, in many handheld electronic devices, such as smart phones, mobile phone accessories, digital cameras, portable gaming devices, e-readers and other portable devices. We believe our platform will facilitate further developments of numerous electronic product advantages, including smaller size, environmental friendliness, greatly extended run-time of current portable devices and simplicity of design, all critical for commercialization in the consumer market, and can be implemented as three different product options: a handheld power generator for consumer electronic devices, a snap-on or attached power accessory, or an embedded fuel cell in handheld devices. We have strategic agreements with a global Japanese consumer electronics company, with a U.S. based developer and marketer of universal chargers, with a global power tool manufacturer, and a letter of intent with Duracell, part of the Procter & Gamble Company. Our goal is to become the leading provider of portable power for various types of electronic devices and, assuming available financing, we intend to commercialize Mobion products in 2010.
 
Our Mobion technology is protected by a patent portfolio that includes 55 patents and 69 active U.S. patent applications covering five key technologies and manufacturing areas, one of which is the process that eliminates the need for active water recirculation pumps or the inclusion of water as a fuel dilutant. The water required for the electrochemical process is transferred internally within the Mobion Chip from the site of water generation on the air-side of the cell. This internal flow of water takes place without the need for any pumps, complicated re-circulation loops or other micro-plumbing tools.
 
Test and Measurement Segment – MTI Instruments is a worldwide supplier of metrology, portable balancing equipment and inspection systems for semiconductor wafers. Our products use state-of-the-art technology to solve complex real world applications in numerous industries including automotive, semiconductor, solar cell manufacturing, commercial and military aviation and data storage. We are continuously working on ways to expand our sales reach, including more sales coverage in Europe and the Far East, as well as a focus on internet marketing. We have industry recognized customer service and have worked with hundreds of companies worldwide.
 
Our test and measurement segment has three product groups: general dimensional gauging, semiconductor/solar and aviation. Our products consist of electronic, computerized gauging instruments for position, displacement and vibration applications for the design, manufacturing and test markets; metrology tools for wafer characterization of semiconductor and solar wafers; and engine balancing and vibration analysis systems for both military and commercial aircraft.
 
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Liquidity
 
Our cash requirements depend on numerous factors, including completion of our portable power source products development activities, our ability to commercialize our portable power source products, market acceptance of our portable power source products, and other factors.
 
Several key indicators of our liquidity are summarized in the following table:
 
Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) March 31,
       2009        2010
Cash and cash equivalents $ 794 $ 991
Securities available for sale
Working capital (deficit) (922 ) 993
Net loss (1,244 ) (1,234 )
Net cash used in operating activities (1,368 ) (441 )
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 13

From inception through March 31, 2010, we have incurred an accumulated deficit of $122 million, and we expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future as we continue micro fuel cell product development and commercialization programs. We expect that losses will fluctuate from year to year and that such fluctuations may be substantial as a result of, among other factors, our operating results, the availability of equity financing, and the ability to attract government funding resources to offset research and development costs.
 
At present, the Company does not expect to continue to fund over the long-term MTI Micro’s development and commercialization of its portable power source products. MTI Micro had cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2010 of $214 thousand.
 
On January 11, 2010, MTI Micro entered into a Common Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Counter Point Ventures Fund II, L.P. (“Counter Point”). Counter Point is managed by Dr. Walter L. Robb, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and MTI Micro, and is a current stockholder of MTI Micro. Dr. Robb and Counter Point beneficially held approximately 29.5% of the fully-diluted common stock of MTI Micro of December 31, 2009, and as of March 31, 2010 hold an aggregate of approximately 34.17% of the fully-diluted common stock of MTI Micro.
 
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, MTI Micro may issue and sell to Counter Point up to 28,571,429 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Micro Common Stock”), at a purchase price per share of $0.070, over a period of twelve (12) months, and warrants (“Warrants”) to purchase shares of Micro Common Stock equal to 20% of the shares of Micro Common Stock purchased under the Purchase Agreement at an exercise price of $0.070 per share. The sale and issuance of the Micro Common Stock and Warrants shall occur over multiple closings (each, a “Closing”) occurring over two (2) one month closing periods and five (5) two-month closing periods (each, a “Closing Period”). Three Closings have occurred through March 31, 2010, with MTI Micro raising $660,000 from the sale of 9,428,571 shares of Micro Common Stock and Warrants to purchase 1,885,714 shares of Micro Common Stock to Counter Point. Subsequent Closings may occur thereafter at MTI Micro’s sole discretion during the Closing Periods upon delivery of written notice by MTI Micro to Counter Point of its desire to consummate a Closing, and Counter Point’s acceptance of such offer under the Purchase Agreement on the terms agreed upon with MTI Micro. In the event the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement no longer reflect current market conditions or otherwise, either party may elect not to participate in a Subsequent Closing(s) or the parties may amend the Purchase Agreement on mutually agreeable terms with respect to such Subsequent Closing(s). If MTI Micro were to issue and sell the remainder of the 28,571,429 shares under the Purchase Agreement, the Company would continue to hold an aggregate of 55.8% of the fully-diluted capital stock of MTI Micro.
 
Subsequent to March 31, 2010, MTI Micro has drawn down an additional $330 thousand under the Purchase Agreement with an additional $1.01 million of available borrowing capacity through the Purchase Agreement. However, the funds available through the Purchase Agreement are only available to us at increments of $330 thousand bi-monthly. Our next available draw down is July 2010. In addition, subsequent to March 31, 2010, MTI Micro received $349 thousand from the DOE for billings relative to work performed through March 31, 2010, and has an additional $437 under the extension as work is performed. MTI Micro will be required to raise additional funds through issuance of its equity or debt, government funding and/or explore other strategic alternatives including but not limited to the sale of assets and/or the company. If MTI Micro is unable to raise additional financing, it may be required to discontinue or severely reduce its business operations.
 
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As part of a cash conservation program at MTI Micro, all MTI Micro employee salaries were reduced by 20% starting April 12, Peng Lim, the CEO of MTI Micro, voluntarily reduced the portion of his monthly salary that is allocated to MTI Micro from $9,722.22 to $2,430.56, and in an effort to focus on commercialization, MTI Micro further streamlined its organization. These reductions will continue until such time as MTI Micro secures additional financing. There is no assurance that funds raised in any such a financing will be sufficient, that the financing will be available on terms favorable to us or to existing stockholders and at such times as required, or that we will be able to obtain the additional financing required for the continued operation and growth of our business. During the sixteen months ended March 31, 2010, MTI Micro has raised $3.1 million in external debt and equity financing. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, MTI Micro’s stockholders will experience further dilution. Additional debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants. Any debt financing or additional equity financing may contain terms that are not favorable to us or our stockholders. If we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements with third parties, it may be necessary to relinquish some rights to our technologies or our products, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. If we are unable to raise adequate funds, we may have to liquidate some or all of our assets or delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate some or all of our research and development programs, or discontinue our portable power source business. Without other resources, management currently believes it will have adequate funds through the end of 2010.
 
Management believes that MTI Instruments will continue to generate positive cash flow and would be able to fund its current operations. However, no assurances can be provided on this subsidiary’s ability to continue as a going concern given the level of uncertainty involved with the parent company’s operations.
 
Results of Operations
 
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009.
 
Product Revenue. Revenue in our test and measurement instrumentation business decreased by $282 thousand, or 18.2%, from $1.55 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 to $1.27 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. This decline was attributed to a $335 thousand decline in activity with the US Air Force, stemming from the timing of delivery orders under existing contracts. Last year, the U.S. Air Force was the top customer for the segment; accounting for 22.7% of product revenue in the first three months of 2009, yet only accounted for 1.2% of the total product revenue to date in 2010. For the first three months of 2010, a single U.S. based commercial customer accounted for 12.1% of total product revenue, versus the first three months of 2009 when a single Japanese based commercial distributor accounted for 11.2% of total product revenue.
 
Information regarding government contracts included in product revenue is as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands) Total Contract
Revenues for the Revenue Orders Received
Three Months Ended March 31, Contract to Date to Date
Contract (1)       Expiration       2009       2010       March 31, 2010       March 31, 2010
$2.3 million Air Force New PBS-4100
       Systems 07/28/2010  (2) $ 285 $ $ 2,109 $ 2,109
$8.8 million Air Force Retrofit and
       Maintenance of PBS-4100
       Systems 06/19/2008  (3) $ 50 $ $ 8,009 $ 8,009
$6.5 million Air Force Retrofit and
       Maintenance of PBS-4100
       Systems 9/27/2014  (4) $ $ 4 $ 443 $ 443
____________________
 
(1)        Contract values represent maximum potential values and may not be representative of actual results.
(2)   Date represents expiration of contract, including all three potential option extensions.
(3)   The contract expiration date has passed; however, one delivery order remains open under the contract.
(4)   Date represents expiration of contract, including all four potential option extensions.
 
Funded Research and Development Revenue. Funded research and development revenue in our new energy business for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased in comparison to the same period in 2009 by $357 thousand. The DOE contract was not approved until May of 2009, thus no billings occurred in the first quarter of 2009. Revenue for the three months ending March 31, 2010 represents two full months of DOE billings. March work will be recognized in the second quarter of 2010, due to the delay in approval of the extension.
 
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Information regarding our contract included in funded research and development revenue is as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenue Revenue Revenue
Three Months Three Months Contract to
Ended % of 2009 Ended % of 2010 Date
Contract       Expiration (1)       March 31, 2009       Total       March 31, 2010       Total       March 31, 2010
$2.9 million DOE (2) 12/31/10 $ % $ 357 100 % $ 2, 400
____________________
 
(1)        Dates represent expiration of contract, not date of final billing.
(2)   The DOE contract is a cost share contract.
 
Cost of Product Revenue. Cost of product revenue in our test and measurement instrumentation business decreased by $121 thousand, or 18.2%, to $544 thousand for the first three months of 2010, compared to $665 thousand for the first three months of 2009. The decrease corresponded to the aforementioned 18.2% decline in product revenue. Gross profit, as a percentage of product revenue, was 57% for the first three months of 2010, which is equivalent to the 57% gross profit recognized during the first three months of 2009.
 
Funded Research and Product Development Expenses. Funded research and product development expenses in our new energy business increased by $770 thousand in comparison to the same period in 2009. This change was the result of the increase in billings under the current DOE contract, as mentioned above in Funded Research and Development Revenue, and the related increase in recognition of the expenses as Funded Research and Product Development Expenses.
 
Unfunded Research and Product Development Expenses. Unfunded research and product development expenses decreased by $616 thousand, or 63.01%, to $360 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $976 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2009. This decrease is attributable to continued cost reductions by management.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $479 thousand, or 34.79% to $1.86 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. This increase was primarily the result the recognition of the stock option expense in relation to options granted to MTI Micro employees in the first quarter of 2010 equaling $833 thousand, which was partially offset by continued cost reductions by management, as well as no allocation in 2009 of expenses incurred for the fulfillment of the DOE contract, due to the approval for funding in 2009 not occurring until May of 2009.
 
Operating Loss. Operating loss increased by $437 thousand, or 29.75%, to $1.9 million through the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2009 loss of $1.5 million as a result of the factors noted above.
 
Gain on Derivatives. Our gain on derivatives related to the freestanding warrants issued in conjunction with our December 2006 capital raise decreased by $16 thousand, or 87.9%, to $2 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared with $18 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The decrease in derivative gain was attributable to valuation changes of the underlying warrants using the Black-Scholes pricing model.
 
Income Tax (Expense) Benefit. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was 0.00% and our income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was 13.2%. These tax rates were primarily the result of losses generated by operations, changes in the valuation allowance, and permanent differences for derivative valuations. Additionally, the March 31, 2009 tax rate was impacted by the reversal of the uncertain tax position for NYS settlement.
 
The valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets at March 31, 2010 was $27.2 million and at December 31, 2009 was $26.4 million. We determined that it was more likely than not that ultimate recognition of certain deferred tax assets would not be realized.
 
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Capital Resources
 
Our working capital was $993 thousand at March 31, 2010, comparable to $1.2 million at December 31, 2009.
 
At March 31, 2010, our order backlog was $614 thousand compared to $419 thousand at December 31, 2009.
 
Our inventory turnover ratios and accounts receivable days sales outstanding for the trailing twelve month periods and their changes at March 31, 2009 and 2010 are as follows:
 
2009       2010       Change
Inventory turnover 1.5 2.3 .8
Average accounts receivable days sales outstanding 41 42 1

The increase in inventory turnover is attributed to a 33% decrease in average inventory balances on a comparable sales volume.
 
The average accounts receivable days sales outstanding for the last twelve months compared to the previous twelve months, only increasing by one day.
 
Net cash used by operating activities was $441 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared with $1.4 million in 2009. This cash use decrease of $927 thousand reflects a net decrease in cash expenditures to fund operations, decreases in inventory levels, together with net balance sheet changes reflecting the timing of cash payments and receipts, particularly recognition of deferred revenue and the accrual of certain accrued liabilities.
 
There were $13 thousand in capital expenditures during the three months ended March 31, 2010, with no capital expenditures in the same period for 2009. There were no outstanding commitments for capital expenditures as of March 31, 2010. We expect to finance any potential future expenditures with current cash and cash equivalents as appropriate and to the extent available.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
There were no off balance sheet arrangements.
 
Contractual Payment Obligations
 
We have entered into various agreements that result in contractual payment obligations in future years. These contracts include financing arrangements for current manufacturing, laboratory and office facility lease agreements. The following table summarizes cash payments that we are committed to make under the existing terms of contracts to which we are a party as of March 31, 2010. This table does not include contingencies.
 
      Less                   More      
Contractual Payment Obligations Than 1 1-3 3-5 Than 5
(in thousands) Year Years Years Years Total
Operating Leases / Total Contractual Payment Obligations   $ 312   $ 827 $ 270   $ —  $ 1,409
 

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
 
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 includes a summary of our most significant accounting policies. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies previously disclosed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventories, securities available for sale, income taxes, stock-based compensation and derivatives. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Periodically, we review our critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
 
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Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Any statements contained in this Form 10-Q that are not statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. When we use the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “management believes,” “we believe,” “we intend,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “will” and similar words or phrases, we are identifying forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause these differences include the following:
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Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
The certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer attached as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, in paragraph 4 of such certifications, information concerning our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Such certifications should be read in conjunction with the information contained in this Item 4 for a more complete understanding of the matters covered by such certifications.
 
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and our acting chief financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of MTI’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2010. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We recognize that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and we necessarily apply our judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the valuation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2010, our chief executive officer and acting chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
 
(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during our fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
At any point in time, we may be involved in various lawsuits or other legal proceedings. Such lawsuits could arise from the sale of products or services or from other matters relating to our regular business activities, compliance with various governmental regulations and requirements, or other transactions or circumstances. We do not believe there are any such proceedings presently pending that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. See Note 12 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 contains a detailed discussion of our risk factors. In addition, information regarding risk factors appears in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements”. These risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those stated in forward-looking statements contained in this document and elsewhere. Pursuant to the instructions to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we have provided below only those risk factors that are new or that have been materially amended since the time that we filed our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, the information presented below should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and information disclosed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
We have incurred recurring net losses and anticipate continued net losses as we execute our commercialization plan for our portable power source business.
 
We have incurred recurring net losses, including net losses of $1.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2009 and the three months ended March 31, 2010. As a result of ongoing operating losses, we had an accumulated deficit of $122 million as of March 31, 2010. Subject to cash availability, we expect to continue to make significant expenditures and incur substantial expenses as we develop and commercialize our proposed portable power source products; develop our manufacturing, sales, and distribution networks; implement internal systems and infrastructure; and hire additional personnel.
 
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As a result, we expect to continue to incur significant losses as we execute our plan to commercialize our portable power source business and may never achieve or maintain profitability. We will be unable to satisfy our current obligations solely from cash generated from operations or become profitable until we successfully commercialize our portable power source business. If we continue to incur substantial losses and are unable to secure additional financing, we could be forced to discontinue or curtail our business operations; sell assets at unfavorable prices; or merge, consolidate, or combine with a company with greater financial resources in a transaction that may be unfavorable to us.
 
At present, the Company does not expect to continue to fund MTI Micro on a long-term basis. Based on the Company’s projected cash requirements for operations and capital expenditures and its current cash and cash equivalents of $991 thousand at March 31, 2010, management believes it will have adequate resources to fund its current operations, excluding MTI Micro operations, but there can be no assurance. Since the company will no longer fund MTI Micro on a long-term basis, the subsidiary has sought other sources of funding, but there is no assurance that such funding will be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
 
We currently do not have sufficient funds to commercialize our portable power source products.
 
In order to continue full commercialization of its micro fuel cell solution, MTI Micro will need to do one or more of the following to raise additional resources, or reduce its cash requirements:
There is no guarantee that resources will be available to MTI Micro on terms acceptable to it, or at all, or that such resources will be received in a timely manner, if at all, or that MTI Micro will be able to reduce its expenditure run-rate without materially and adversely affecting its business. MTI Micro had cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2010 of $214 thousand. Subsequent to March 31, 2010, MTI Micro has drawn down an additional $330 thousand under the Purchase Agreement with an additional $1.01 million of available borrowing capacity through the Agreement. However, the funds available through the Agreement are only available to us at increments of $330 thousand bi-monthly. Our next available draw down is July 2010. In addition, subsequent to March 31, 2010, MTI Micro received $349 thousand from the DOE for billings relative to work performed through March 31, 2010, and has an additional $437 under the extension as work is performed.
 
In order to conserve cash and extend operations while we pursue any additional necessary financing, we have made reductions to operating expenses in the first quarter of 2010. There is no assurance that funds raised in any such a financing will be sufficient, that the financing will be available on terms favorable to us or to existing stockholders and at such times as required, or that we will be able to obtain the additional financing required for the continued operation and growth of our business. During the last sixteen months, MTI Micro has raised $3.1 million in external debt and equity financing. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, MTI Micro’s stockholders will experience further dilution. Additional debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants. Any debt financing or additional equity financing may contain terms that are not favorable to us or our stockholders. If we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements with third parties, it may be necessary to relinquish some rights to our technologies or our products, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. If we are unable to raise adequate funds, we may have to liquidate some or all of our assets or delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate some or all of our research and development programs, or discontinue our portable power source business. Management currently believes it will have adequate resources to fund its MTI Micro operations through the end of 2010, however, there can be no assurance that MTI Micro will not require funding before then to continue operations.
 
Our ownership position in MTI Micro may be reduced as a result of external financing for MTI Micro's operations, which could limit our ability to control the operations.
 
As of March 31, 2010, we owned approximately 57.35% or 63.28% on a fully-diluted basis. On January 11, 2010, MTI Micro entered into a Common Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Counter Point Ventures Fund II, L.P. (“Counter Point”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, MTI Micro may issue and sell to Counter Point up to 28,571,429 shares of common stock of Micro at a purchase price per share of $0.070, over a period of twelve months, and warrants (“Warrants”) to purchase shares of Micro Common Stock equal to 20% of the shares of Micro Common Stock purchased under the Purchase Agreement at an exercise price of $0.070 per share. If MTI Micro was to issue and sell all of the 28,571,429 shares under the Purchase Agreement, the remainder of the 5,714,286 warrants under the Purchase Agreement were exercised, as well as all warrants currently outstanding were exercised, the Company would continue to hold an aggregate of 55.8% of the fully-diluted capital stock of MTI Micro.
 
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In addition, we do not currently expect to advance additional long-term resources to MTI Micro to fund its continued direct methanol fuel cell development and commercialization programs. Instead, MTI Micro will seek additional capital from external sources to fund future development and operations. Depending on the valuation of MTI Micro at the time of future financings, if any, our ownership position could be substantially diluted, and we may no longer have sufficient equity to control the operations of MTI Micro. If MTI Micro is unable to secure the necessary additional external financing, we may be forced to substantially downsize or eliminate its operations.
 
We may experience an ownership change which would result in a limitation of the use of our net operating losses.
 
As of March 31, 2010, we had approximately $66 million of net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards. As a result of the conversion of the Bridge Notes, MTI no longer maintains an 80% or greater ownership of MTI Micro. Thus MTI Micro will no longer be included in the MTI and subsidiaries consolidated federal and combined New York State tax returns, effective December 9, 2009. A reattribution of a portion of MTI Micro’s NOLs is expected with the filing of the 2009 tax returns, which will reduce MTI Micro’s NOLs as of the date of the Bridge Conversion to approximately $13 million, and MTI’s balance will be approximately $52 million. Also as a result of the conversion of the Bridge Note, MTI Micro may have experienced a Section 382 ownership change, which would further reduce their NOLs by an estimated $6.7 million. Our ability to utilize both the MTI and MTI Micro NOL carryforwards, including any future NOL carryforwards that may arise, may be limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if we or MTI Micro undergo any further “ownership changes” as a result of subsequent changes in the ownership of our outstanding common stock pursuant to the exercise of the warrants, the conversion of the MTI Micro’s bridge notes, or otherwise. A corporation generally undergoes an “ownership change” when the ownership of its stock, by value, changes by more than 50 percentage points over any three-year testing period. In the event of an ownership change, Section 382 imposes an annual limitation on the amount of post-ownership change taxable income a corporation may offset with pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards and certain recognized built-in losses. As of March 31, 2010, it is estimated that MTI has NOL carryforwards of approximately $52 million and MTI Micro has NOL carryforwards of approximately $14 million, with a portion, as noted above, being subject to IRC Section 382 limitations.
 
Item 5. Other Information
 
None
 
Item 6. Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.       Description
10.1 Common Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated January 11, 2010, by and between MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. and Counter Point Ventures Fund II, L.P. (1)
10.2 Form of Common Stock Warrant (1)
31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Peng K. Lim
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Frederick W. Jones
32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Peng K. Lim
32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Frederick W. Jones

Certain exhibits were previously filed (as indicated below) and are incorporated herein by reference. All other exhibits for which no other filing information is given are filed herewith.
 
(1) Filed as an Exhibit to the registrant’s Form 8-K Report dated January 14, 2010.
 
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Mechanical Technology, Incorporated
 
Date: May 17, 2010 By:   
/S/ PENG K. LIM
 
Peng K. Lim
Chief Executive Officer
 
By:   
/S/ FREDERICK W. JONES
Frederick W. Jones
Acting Chief Financial Officer
 
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