US Energy Secretary Steven Chu said that seven Massachusetts companies are among 104 small businesses nationwide that are being awarded a total of about $102 million in Department of Energy investment grants.

The grants are designed to help support small businesses and advance “cutting-edge clean energy innovations,” the department said.

Billerica-based Aerodyne Research Inc. will receive five $1-million grants, and Radiation Monitoring Devices Inc. of Watertown will receive three $1 million grants, the department said.

According to the Department of Energy website, one project Aerodyne Research is working on is the development of an instrument that can identify and measure small airborne particles generated from energy-related activities. These particles can adversely impact global climate, human health, and visibility.

One of Radiation Monitoring Devices’ specialties, meanwhile, is high-resolution sensors for hard X-ray micro tomography. Such sensors could be used to improve medical imaging, X-ray scanning equipment at airports, and small animal research.

Other local companies in line to receive Energy Department grants are Boston-based Conispire, Marlborough-based Aspen Products Group Inc., Natick-based Capesym Inc., Sturbridge-based Nova Scientific Inc., and Tyngsborough-based Beacon Power Corp., the department said.