The present paper describes a new method for manufg. a nanostructured porous layer of a semiconductor material at room temp. The porous layer is pressed on a conducting glass or plastic substrate for use in a dye-sensitized nanocryst. solar cell. The method compresses the particle layer to form a mech. stable, elec. conducting, porous nanostructured film. Overall solar to elec. conversion efficiencies of up to 5.2% at 0.1 sun using plastic substrates have been obtained.