What they get out of it is the point of being on such a project/program. They have the lead on filling great positions of employment post graduation. It’s an incredible resume item.
Another detailed article of future use of nanotubes:
This Concerns use in Fuel Cell Technology.
http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/FuelCellToday/FCTFiles/FCTArticleFiles/Article_1021_Buckyballs,%20nanotubes%20show%20promise.pdf
Nice article on Nanotubes and Space elevators.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050926/asp/frontpage/story_5285496.asp