Universities are always under pressure to show impact. They need artifacts to show to funders (govt ministers) and demonstrate relevance. The explanation 'our l

Universities are always under pressure to show impact. They need artifacts to show to funders (govt ministers) and demonstrate relevance. The explanation 'our lab turned water into fuel using algae' is generally intelligible, while the Nature reference lends a credibility the intended lay audience isn't intended to cash. Also, there is some element of just wanting people to be aware of cool stuff that got done. Universities are primarily there to produce scientific breakthroughs, not bring technologies to market. The value is in undertaking high risk research.