The Department of Energy grants are part of President Obama's blueprint for "an American Economy built to last."

The Department of Energy says it chose the projects to invest in based on their ability to support American leadership and global competitiveness in manufacturing.

Three-point-seven million dollars of the $54 million awarded to 13 U.S. companies will go to Delphi Automotive's tech center on West Henrietta Road.

Mary Gustanski, Delphi's vice president of engineering, says the federal grant will pay for the equipment, material, and expertise needed to develop an innovative, energy efficient, laser machining process and bring it to market much more quickly.

"This is an ultra fast laser that when used to create the flow holes in the injector, it eliminates the need for a secondary processing step, so that’s less investment to be able to create the product components that are necessary for the injector. Which from that standpoint, will put you in a more competitive state as you’re building and producing the gasoline direct injection systems,” Gustanski said.

Delphi says the multi-hole fuel injectors are one of seven first-application innovations engineers and scientists at the Rochester plant are working on.

Other projects in the pipeline include; Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology, Heated Tip Fuel Injectors, which would be used to heat fuel in extremely cold climates, and an e-Phaser which would reduce engine emissions and improve fuel economy.

The $3.7 million grant will not have an impact on the local Delphi workforce.
Currently, about 400 people work at the West Henrietta Road Technical Center.