Oviedo, Spain  - Five inventors of new materials Wednesday won the Prince of Asturias Prize, known as the "Spanish Nobel," in the category of scientific and technical investigation, the jury announced in the northern city of Oviedo.

The winners included Robert Langer of the United States, whose discoveries include an artificial heart tissue with natural characteristics, and Japanese Shuji Nakamura, who invented a technology to sterilize drinking water.

The three others are Tobin Marks of the United States, who has studied transparent transistors, Japanese Sumio Iijama, the discoverer of high-strength carbon nanotube fibres, and US nanotechnology specialist George Whitesides.

Their inventions contributed to goals such as reducing poverty and to sustainable development, the jury said, describing such technologies as an "unprecedented revolution."

The Prince of Asturias Prize, which is worth 50,000 euros (77,000 dollars), is awarded annually in eight categories. (dpa)