the presently disclosed subject matter describes a new sealing process of a specific type of photovoltaic cells named dye - sensitized solar cells . currently , the sealing of these cells is made by means of a polymer , which connects the two electrode substrates made of glass , isolating the cell &# 39 ; s inner content from the outside . the glass - based sealing method has the advantage of enhancing the cell &# 39 ; s lifetime . however , glass sealing should not lead to the heating of the whole cell , which may cause its degradation . the process here unveiled employs a string of a glass precursor , a powder or a paste , that bounds the cell &# 39 ; s entire external perimeter . the glass precursor string is then heated to its melting point with a laser beam , allowing the two substrates of the cell to stick together .