8. Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock and Equity Payable

2022

On February 9, 2022, 17 warrant holders exercised their common stock purchase warrant for 3,188,190 shares at the exercise price of $0.80 per share, resulting in additional capital of $2,550,552. As an inducement for the holders’ exercise of the warrants, we issued the holders 3,188,190 new warrants to purchase common stock at $1.50 per share over a three-year period expiring in February 2025. We have recorded an additional stock-based expense of $382,048.

On June 29, 2022, the Company received private investment funds to purchase 1,062,500 shares of its common stock at a price of $0.80 per share, resulting in additional capital of $850,000, and issued the holders 1,062,500 new warrants to purchase common stock at $1.50 per share over a three-year period expiring in June 2025.

On August 24, 2022, the Company received private investment funds to purchase 1,500,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $0.80 per share, resulting in additional capital of $1,200,000, and issued the holders 1,500,000 new warrants to purchase common stock at $1.50 per share over a three year period expiring in August 2025.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022 a total of $161,750 of interest was converted into 149,770 shares of Common Stock.

2023

On January 31, 2023 a total of 545,012 shares were issued to John Harris, a former director. The shares were issued based on the total Restricted Stock Units earned by Mr. Harris as director compensation that were fully vested as of March 29, 2022. Restricted stock expense is recorded on the date it vests and no expense was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

On March 27, 2023 a total of 154,106 shares of common stock were granted from equity payable to Thomas Akin as settlement of $166,432 of interest payable. The Company recorded a loss on settlement of interest payable of $44,325 on December 31, 2022.

On March 27, 2023 a total of 9,651 shares of common stock were granted from equity payable to Talkot Fund LP as settlement of $10,423 of interest payable. The Company recorded a loss on settlement of interest payable of $2,757 on December 31, 2022.

On March 31, 2023 a total of $195,171 of interest was accrued and settled to equity payable for the issuance of 180,715 shares of common stock. The company recorded a loss of settlement of interest payable of $10,315.

On March 31, 2023 a total of $10,196 of interest was accrued and settled to equity payable for the issuance of 9,441 shares of common stock. The company recorded a loss of settlement of interest payable of $542.

During March, 15 warrant holders exercised their common stock purchase warrant for 3,587,487 shares at the exercise price of $1.00 per share, resulting in additional capital of $3,587,487. As an inducement for the holder’s exercise of the warrants, we issued the holders’ 1,792,745 new warrants to purchase common stock at $2.00 per share over a three-year period expiring in February 2025. The Company recorded $577,000 of stock-based expense related to warrants issued during the warrant conversion offer on February 14, 2023. The total estimated value of the warrants using the Black-Scholes Model is based on a volatility rate of 63% and an option fair value of $0.3216.

On June 30, 2023 a total of $196,148 of interest was accrued and settled to equity payable for the issuance of 181,620 shares of common stock.

On June 30, 2023 a total of $10,309 of interest was accrued and settled to equity payable for the issuance of 9,546 shares of common stock.

During August and September of 2023, 18 warrant holders exercised their common stock purchase warrant for 1,960,976 shares at the exercise price of $.82 per share, resulting in additional capital of $1,608,000. As an inducement for the holder’s exercise of the warrants, we issued the holders’ 3,921,952 new warrants to purchase common stock at $.82 per share over a one and three-year period expiring between August and September 2026. The Company recorded $1,146,562 of stock-based expense related to warrants issued during the warrant conversion offer on September 6, 2023. The total estimated value of the warrants using the Black-Scholes Model is based on an average volatility rate of 63% and 73% and an option fair value of between $0.21 and $0.40.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 a total of 553,279 shares were issued from stock payable related to related party accrued interest.

As of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 we had an equity payable balance of $100,862.

Stock-based Plans

Stock Option Activity

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

 Share Based Payment Arrangement Options Activity

2022

On March 29, 2022, the Company granted one employee 150,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the closing price as of March 29, 2022, of $0.8289 per share. The option shares will vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant, then equally in 36 monthly installments thereafter, and are exercisable until March 29, 2032. The total estimated value using the Black-Scholes Model, based on a volatility rate of 72.33% and an option fair value of $0.54 was $81,035.

On May 16, 2022, the Company granted three employees 45,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the closing price as of May 16, 2022, of $0.97 per share. The option shares will vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant, then equally in 36 monthly installments thereafter, and are exercisable until May 16, 2032. The total estimated value using the Black-Scholes Model, based on a volatility rate of 73.45% and an option fair value of $0.642608 was $28,917.

On September 22, 2022, the Company granted one employee 1,000,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the closing price as of September 2022, of $0.98 per share. The option shares will vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant, then equally in 36 monthly installments thereafter, and are exercisable until September 29, 2032. The total estimated value using the Black-Scholes Model, based on a volatility rate of 76.15% and an option fair value of $0.697499 was $697,499.

2023

On May 11, 2023 the Company granted three employees 295,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the closing price as of May 11, 2023 of $0.98 per share. The option shares will vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant, then equally in 36 monthly installments thereafter, and are exercisable until May 16, 2033. The total estimated value using the Black-Scholes Model, based on a volatility rate of 75.76% and an option fair value of $0.705183 was $208,029.

On July 14, 2023 the Company granted one employees 1,000,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the closing price as of July 14, 2023 of $0.85 per share. The option shares will vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant, then equally in 36 monthly installments thereafter, and are exercisable until July 14, 2033. The total estimated value using the Black-Scholes Model, based on a volatility rate of 74.55% and an option fair value of $0.5590 was $605,383.

On July 17, 2023 the Company granted one employees 700,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the closing price as of July 17, 2023 of $0.79 per share. The option shares will vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant, then equally in 36 monthly installments thereafter, and are exercisable until July 17, 2033. The total estimated value using the Black-Scholes Model, based on a volatility rate of 74.57% and an option fair value of $0.5713 was $396,441.

On August 25, 2023 he Company granted four employees 650,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the closing price as of August 25, 2023 of $0.65 per share. The option shares will vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant, then equally in 36 monthly installments thereafter, and are exercisable until August 25, 2033. The total estimated value using the Black-Scholes Model, based on a volatility rate of 64.81% and an option fair value of $0.4257 was $285,773.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense from Stock Options and Warrants

The impact on our results of operations of recording stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense

Valuation Assumptions

The fair value of each stock option award was calculated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.

 Schedule of Stock Options Valuation Assumptions

The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon published interest rates appropriate for the expected life of our employee stock options.

The expected life of the stock options represents the weighted-average period that the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and was determined based on the historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior as influenced by changes to the terms of the Company’s stock-based awards.

The dividend yield assumption is based on our history of not paying dividends and no future expectations of dividend payouts.

The expected volatility in 2023 and 2022 is based on the historical publicly traded price of our common stock.

Restricted stock units

The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity under our stock-based plans for the year ended December 31, 2022 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

 Schedule of Restricted Stock Unit Activity

2022

On March 29, 2022, the company granted four independent directors a total of 78,420 restricted stock units. The units were valued at $65,002 or $0.829 per share, based on the closing stock price on the date of the grant. All units vested immediately. The shares of common stock associated with the restricted stock units will be issued to each director upon the earliest to occur of (A) December 15, 2024, (B) a change in control of the Company, and (C) the termination of the director’s service with the Company.

On May 16, 2022, the company granted four independent directors a total of 54,168 restricted stock units. The units were valued at $65,002 or $1.20 per share, based on the closing stock price on the date of the grant. All units vested immediately. The shares of common stock associated with the restricted stock units will be issued to each director upon the earliest to occur of (A) December 15, 2024, (B) a change in control of the Company, and (C) the termination of the director’s service with the Company.

On September 30, 2022, the company granted four independent directors a total of 65,100 restricted stock units. The units were valued at $65,002 or $0.9985 per share, based on the closing stock price on the date of the grant. All units vested immediately. The shares of common stock associated with the restricted stock units will be issued to each director upon the earliest to occur of (A) December 15, 2024, (B) a change in control of the Company, and (C) the termination of the director’s service with the Company.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded $195,005 in restricted stock expense as board compensation.

2023

On March 31, 2023, the company grated granted four independent directors a total of 61,342 restricted stock units. The units were valued at $65,002 or $1.05 per share, based on the closing stock price on the date of the grant. All units vested immediately. The shares of common stock associated with the restricted stock units will be issued to each director upon the earliest to occur of (A) March 31, 2026, (B) a change in control of the Company, and (C) the termination of the director’s service with the Company.

On June 30, 2023, the company granted four independent directors a total of 80,160 restricted stock units. The units were valued at $65,003 or $0.81 per share, based on the closing stock price on the date of the grant. All units vest immediately. The shares of common stock associated with the restricted stock units will be issued to each director upon the earliest to occur of (A) June 30, 2026, (B) a change in control of the Company, and (C) the termination of the director’s service with the Company.

On September 30, 2023, the company granted four independent directors a total of 101,564 restricted stock units. The units were valued at $65,001 or $0.64 per share, based on the closing stock price on the date of the grant. All units vest immediately. The shares of common stock associated with the restricted stock units will be issued to each director upon the earliest to occur of (A) September 30,2026, (B) a change in control of the Company, and (C) the termination of the director’s service with the Company.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $195,006 in restricted stock expense as board compensation.

Stock Based Compensation from Restricted Stock

The impact on our results of operations of recording stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:

 Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense

As of September 30, 2023, there was no unearned restricted stock unit compensation.

Warrants

The following table summarizes investor warrants as of September 30, 2023 and the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:

 Schedule of Investor Warrants

2022

On February 9, 2022, 17 warrant holders exercised their common stock purchase warrant for 3,188,190 shares at the exercise price of $0.80 per share, resulting in additional capital of $2,550,553. As an inducement for the holder’s exercise of the warrants, we issued the holders’ 3,188,190 new warrants to purchase common stock at $1.50 per share over a three-year period expiring in February 2025. The Company recorded $382,048 of stock-based expense related to warrants issued during the warrant conversion offer on February 9, 2022.

On June 29, 2022, six private investors purchased 1,062,500 new warrants to purchase common stock at $1.50 per share over a three-year period expiring in June 2025, and 1,062,500 shares at the exercise price of $0.80 per share, resulting in additional capital of $850,000.

On August 24, 2022, five private investors purchased 1,500,000 new warrants to purchase common stock at $1.50 per share over a three-year period expiring in August 2025, and 1,500,000 shares at the exercise price of $0.80 per share, resulting in additional capital of $1,200,000.

2023

During March 2023, 15 warrant holders exercised their common stock purchase warrant for 3,587,487 shares at the exercise price of $1.00 per share, resulting in additional capital of $3,557,487. As an inducement for the holder’s exercise of the warrants, we issued the holders’ 3,921,952 new warrants to purchase common stock at $2.00 per share over a three-year period expiring in February 2025. The Company recorded $577,000 of stock-based expense related to warrants issued during the warrant conversion offer on February 14, 2023. The total estimated value of the warrants using the Black-Scholes Model is based on a volatility rate of 63% and an option fair value of $0.3216.

During August and September of 2023, 18 warrant holders exercised their common stock purchase warrant for 1,906,976 shares at the exercise price of $.82 per share, resulting in additional capital of $3,557,487. As an inducement for the holder’s exercise of the warrants, we issued the holders’ 1,793,745 new warrants to purchase common stock at $.82 per share over a three-year period expiring between August and September 2026. The Company recorded $1,146,047 of stock-based expense related to warrants issued during the warrant conversion offer on September 6, 2023. The total estimated value of the warrants using the Black-Scholes Model is based on an average volatility rate of 72% and an option fair value of $0.2922.