A QUT research and industry partnership to boost critical mineral production for renewable energy systems today receive a $5.24 million boost from the Federal Government.Lava Blue received the Critical Minerals Accelerator Initiative funding to support the development of world-leading processes for refining critical minerals used in the lithium-ion battery supply chain.Managing Director of the Canberra and Brisbane-based company, Mr Michael McCann, said the grant was a significant one which would contribute to a $12 million Queensland project over the next two and half years.