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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ClearSign and its subsidiary. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition and Cost of Sales

Revenue Recognition and Cost of Sales

The Company recognizes revenue and related cost of goods sold in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). When applying ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the promises and performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied. Revenues and cost of

goods sold are recognized once the goods or services are delivered to the customer’s control or non-refundable performance obligations are satisfied. The Company’s contracts with customers generally have a schedule of performance obligations that are used to allocate transaction prices, as well as a schedule of non-refundable cancellation obligations. The contracts generally will be fully performed upon delivery of certain drawings or equipment. Revenue related to the contracts is recognized following the completion of non-refundable performance obligations as defined in the contract.

The Company’s contracts generally include progress payments from the customer upon completion of defined milestones. As these payments are received, they are offset against accumulated project costs and recorded as either contract assets or contract liabilities. Upon completion of the performance obligations and collectibility is determined, revenue is recorded at a point in time. The Company records cost of goods sold based on allocated costs assigned to performance obligations. Allocations can occur based on overall estimated contract profit or readily identifiable cost assignments. For any contract that is expected to incur costs in excess of the contract price, the Company accrues the estimated loss in full in the period such determination is made.
Advertising

Advertising

The Company expenses selling and marketing expenses when incurred within the statements of operations and comprehensive loss in general and administrative expenses. The total amount charged to advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $114 thousand and $73 thousand, respectively.
Product Warranties

Product Warranties

The Company warrants all installed products against defects in materials and workmanship for a period specified in each contract by replacing failed parts. Accruals for product warranties are based on historical or expected warranty experience and current product performance trends and are recorded as a component of cost of sales at the time revenue is recognized. The warranty liabilities are reduced by material and labor costs used to replace parts over the warranty period in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary, and such adjustments could be material in the future if estimates differ significantly from actual warranty expense. Product warranties are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Although a warranty is a type of guarantee, assurance-type warranties are not subject to the general recognition provisions of ASC Topic 460, Guarantees, which requires recognizing guarantees at fair value.
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit in a checking and savings account, and short-term money market instruments and U.S. treasury bills with an original maturity of three months or less.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Trade accounts receivable are stated at the cost less an allowance for expected credit losses. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally requires no collateral from its customers or interest on past due amounts. Management estimates the allowance for credit losses based on review and analysis of specific customer balances that may not be collectible and how recently payments have been received in addition to an expected credit loss model based on aging analysis as per the invoice date as re-imbursement risks could exist. Though an exception exists, the vast majority of the outstanding accounts receivable share the same expected credit risk due to the re-imbursement risk is same for the current customer pool. Accounts are considered for write-off when they become past due and when it is determined that the probability of collection is remote. The allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 was zero.

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Fixed Assets and Leases

Fixed Assets and Leases

Fixed assets are recorded at cost. Fixed assets are depreciated over three to five years. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

At contract inception, the Company determines whether the contract is, or contains, a lease and whether the lease should be classified as an operating or a financing lease and reassesses that conclusion if the contract is modified. Operating leases are recorded in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, lease liability, current and lease liability, noncurrent on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company did not have any finance leases during the periods presented.

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The Company recognizes operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. The lease ROU asset is reduced for tenant incentives, if any, and excludes any initial direct costs incurred, if any. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date to determine the present value of future payments and the appropriate lease classification. In determining the inputs to the incremental borrowing rate calculation, the Company makes judgments about the value of the leased asset, its credit rating and the lease term including the probability of its exercising options to extend or terminate the underlying lease. The Company defines the initial lease term to include renewal options determined to be reasonably certain. If the Company determines the option to extend or terminate is reasonably certain, it is included in the determination of lease assets and liabilities. The Company reassesses the lease term if and when a significant event or change in circumstances occurs within the control of the Company, such as construction of significant leasehold improvements that are expected to have economic value when the option becomes exercisable. The Company recognizes a single lease cost on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, and the Company classifies all cash payments within operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

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The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which it has elected to not combine for all asset classes. In addition, the Company does not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less of all asset classes.
Patents and Trademarks

Patents and Trademarks

Third-party expenses related to patents and trademarks are recorded at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets once they are awarded. Patent application costs are deferred pending the outcome of patent and trademark applications. Costs associated with unsuccessful patent applications and abandoned intellectual property are expensed when determined to have no continuing value in current business activity. The Company evaluates the recoverability of the carrying values of intangible assets each reporting period.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company tests long-lived assets, consisting of fixed assets, patents, trademarks, and other intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable through the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from the use and eventual disposition of the assets. In the event an asset is not fully recoverable a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the long-lived assets. Fair value is determined based on the present value of estimated expected cash flows using a discount rate commensurate with the risks involved, quoted market prices, or appraised values depending upon the nature of the assets. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed are determined in a similar manner, except those fair values are reduced for the cost of disposal.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized based on whether or not the inputs are observable in the market and the degree that the inputs are observable. The categorization of financial assets and liabilities within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of inputs used to establish fair value are the following:

●Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
●Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
●Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The Company’s financial instruments primarily consist of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses. The fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents was determined based on Level 1 inputs. Our cash equivalents consist of cash, money market and short-term U.S. treasuries. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $1,354 thousand and $4,228 thousand in our money market account, and $10,792 thousand and zero in short-term U.S. treasuries, respectively.

As of the balance sheet dates, the estimated fair values of the financial instruments were not materially different from their carrying values as presented on the consolidated balance sheets. This is primarily attributable to the short-term nature of these instruments.

The Company did not identify any other recurring or non-recurring assets and liabilities that are required to be presented in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value.
Research and Development, and Government Assistance

Research and Development, and Government Assistance

The cost of research and development is expensed as incurred. Research and development costs consist of salaries, benefits, share-based compensation, consumables, and consulting fees, including costs to develop and test prototype equipment and parts. Research and development costs have been offset by funds received, if any, from strategic partners in cost sharing, collaborative projects. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company received $145 thousand and $60 thousand, respectively, from these types of arrangements.

Additionally, from time to time, the Company may receive government grants to fund research and development projects. We record gross monies received from government entities within other income, net, and associated expenses such as salaries and supplies in research and development or general and administration expense, depending on the nature of expenditure. We accrue for reimbursement requests submitted to government entities in accounts receivable.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach which allows for the recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets based upon the likelihood of realization of tax benefits in future years. Under the asset and liability approach, deferred taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not the Company would not be able to realize their benefits, or that future deductibility is uncertain. Tax benefits are recognized only if it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be utilized in the foreseeable future.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

The costs of all employee stock options, as well as other equity-based compensation arrangements, are reflected in the consolidated financial statements based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the grant date. That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, or in the case of performance options, expense is recognized upon completion of a milestone as defined in the grant agreement. Share-based compensation for stock grants to non-employees is determined as the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measured.
Foreign Operations

Foreign Operations

The accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 include assets amounting to approximately $145 thousand and $334 thousand, respectively, relating to the operations of ClearSign Asia Limited. The Beijing registered capital requirement is $350 thousand, which is required to be paid by June 30, 2032, and of which $211 thousand has been paid as of December 31, 2024. On August 22, 2024, the Board authorized management to move forward with filing for dormancy with Chinese regulators to suspend the Company’s Beijing, China operations. A dormancy filing allows the Company to keep its China legal entity in a suspended status for up to three years. The Company can revive its China operations at any time during those three years with minimal cost impact. The Company completed the dormancy filings as of March 12, 2025. We estimated that we will incur a total of $394 thousand in one-time non-recurring costs related to this project for severance and related benefit costs, equipment disposal and shipment costs, and legal filing fees, which was recorded in the third quarter of 2024. As of December 31, 2024, we had $239 thousand remaining in the accrual related to these costs, which is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

Assets and liabilities of ClearSign Asia Limited with non-U.S. Dollar functional currency are translated to U.S. Dollars using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period. Revenue and expenses are translated to U.S. Dollars using rates that approximate those in effect during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets in the stockholders’ equity section as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Net Loss per Common Share

Net Loss per Common Share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing loss available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted loss per share is computed similar to basic net loss per share except that the denominator is increased to include additional common shares available upon exercise of stock options and warrants using the treasury stock method, except for periods for which no common share equivalents are included because their effect would be anti-dilutive. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, potentially dilutive shares outstanding amounted to 25.1 million and 3.9 million, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 requires expanded disclosures about reportable segments including additional information on segment expenses, expanded interim period disclosures, and an explanation of how the CODM utilizes segment information in evaluating segment performance. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 as of December 31, 2024.

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In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”) to enhance the transparency and decision-making usefulness of income tax disclosures by requiring additional information on an entity's tax rate reconciliation, as well as income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for our reporting period beginning January 1, 2025. We are currently assessing the impact that the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have on the disclosures in our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40) (“ASU 2024-03”). ASU 2024-03 requires enhanced disclosures about types of expenses, including purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, and amortization, in commonly presented expense captions. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. Entities may apply the amendments prospectively or retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on the disclosures within our consolidated financial statements. While ASU 2024-03 will impact only our disclosures and not our financial condition and results of operations, we are assessing when we will adopt the ASU 2024-03.

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