Glory
Here's the sweet spot Shmoopers, especially if you're looking for praise (isn't that the reason to do anything?). There's a ton of glory involved with developing the alternative fuel sources of the future. After all, you are developing the power of the future, and countless generations will live with the results of your ingenuity.
There's also the glory that comes with being part of an elite group of super-smart people. Conferences, workshops, and science magazines are where you'll get a chance to show off to the people who actually know what a catalytic converter is. Do enough good work, and your peers will lavish you with praise and (more importantly) awards. Maybe you'll even pull a Gerhardt Ertl and win a Nobel prize for your work (it's like the Oscar for smart people).