Praxair receives federal funding for industrial materials research. (Praxair Inc.)

Praxair Inc. has been awarded $3.65 million in federal research grants to develop new materials for industry.

The competitive grants, awarded through the U.S. Commerce Department Advanced Technology Program, will spur new local research into ceramic materials, advanced oxygen production systems and liquid-cooled catalytic reactors.

"When you get into these things you hope you get one, and the reason we're so proud is we have three," said Raymond Drnevich, Praxair manager of technology contract acquisition.

Commerce officials say the program is designed to support high-risk, high-reward research.

Awarded annually, the grants are designed to jump-start …