WASHINGTON — U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Energy Department will award new funding to 104 small businesses nationwide, including more than $102 million for businesses in New Hampshire and 25 other states.

The grants include a $992,328 grant to Durham-based Xemed Inc. and a $997,091 grant to Lebanon-based Cognitive Electronics Solutions Inc.

Xemed's project involves instrumentation and tools for materials research using “neutron scattering,” while Cognitive Electronics' project is in energy efficient supercomputing.

The Energy Department grants — funded through the Energy Department's Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs — are specifically earmarked for expanding the country's clean energy economy and reducing dependence on imported oil.