Oslo - Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon Tuesday presented the newly created Kavli prizes to seven scientists for their discoveries in astrophysics, neuroscience and nanoscience.

The prize categories are each worth 1 million dollars, and were jointly sponsored by the Kavli Foundation set up by US-based Norwegian Fred Kavli, and the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.

Maarten Schmidt of the California Institute of Technology shared the astrophysics prize with Donald Lynden-Bell of Britain's Cambridge University for work on quasars.

The nanoscience prize was shared by Louis E Brus of Columbia University, US, and Sumio Iijima of Meijo University in Japan. Their work was important for fields as diverse as "electronics, the environment, energy and bio-medicine," the academy citation said.

The duo had made "discoveries of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots and carbon nanotubes," the jury said.

Three researchers - Pasko Rakic of the Yale University School of Medicine, US, Thomas Jessell of Columbia University and Sten Grillner of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden - shared the neuroscience prize.

The three were lauded for work on "the development and functioning of the networks of cells in the brain and spinal cord."

Organizers said the aim of the awards that were awarded for the first time Tuesday was to recognize "outstanding scientific research" and "honour highly creative scientists."

In addition to the cash prize, the recipients received a gold medal and a scroll.

Three panels of international scientists reviewed and recommended the nominated prize winners. (dpa)