NOVELTY - An edge-sealed, encapsulated environmentally sensitive device comprises initial barrier stack(s) comprising barrier layer(s) and decoupling layer(s), an environmentally sensitive device adjacent the initial barrier stack(s), and additional barrier stack(s) adjacent the environmentally sensitive device opposite the initial barrier stack(s). Decoupling layers are sealed within the area covered by the barrier layer.    USE - As edge-sealed, encapsulated organic light emitting device, liquid crystal display (LCD), display using electrophoretic inks, light-emitting diode (LED), display using light-emitting polymers, electroluminescent device, phosphorescent device, organic solar cell, inorganic solar cell, thin film battery, and/or thin film device with via (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - Because the decoupling layers are sealed within the area covered by the barrier layer, ambient moisture, oxygen and other contaminants cannot diffuse through the decoupling layers to the environmentally sensitive device. The barrier stacks of the invention provide oxygen and water vapor permeation rates several orders of magnitude better than polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coated with aluminum, silicon oxide or aluminum oxide. The oxygen transmission rate for the barrier stacks of the invention is less than 0.005 cc/m2/day at 23degreesC and 0% relative humidity and at 38degreesC and 90% relative humidity. The water vapor transmission rate is less than 0.005 g/m2/day at 38degreesC and 100% relative humidity.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An edge-sealed, encapsulated environmentally sensitive device comprises initial barrier stack(s) (420, 422) comprising decoupling layer(s) (410, 412) and barrier layer(s) (415, 417); an environmentally sensitive device (430) adjacent the initial barrier stack(s); and additional barrier stack(s) (440) adjacent the environmentally sensitive device on a side opposite the initial barrier stack(s). An area of a first barrier layer of a first initial barrier stack is greater than an area of a first decoupling layer of the first initial barrier stack. The first barrier layer of the first initial barrier stack is in contact with a third barrier layer or an optional substrate, sealing the first decoupling layer of the first initial barrier stack between the first barrier layer of the first initial barrier stack and the third barrier layer or the optional substrate. The additional barrier stack comprises decoupling layer(s) and barrier layer(s) (435). An area of a first barrier layer of a first additional barrier stack is greater than an area of a first decoupling layer of the first additional barrier stack. The first barrier layer of the first additional barrier stack is in contact with a fourth barrier layer, sealing the first decoupling layer of the first additional barrier stack between the first barrier layer of the first additional barrier stack and the fourth barrier layer. At least one barrier layer of at least one initial barrier stack is in contact with at least one barrier layer of at least one additional barrier stack, sealing the environmentally sensitive device between the initial barrier stack and the additional barrier stack forming an environmentally sensitive device seal. An oxygen transmission rate through the environmentally sensitive device seal is less than 0.005 cc/m2/day at 23degreesC and 0% relative humidity.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a method of making an edge-sealed, encapsulated environmentally sensitive device comprising providing initial barrier stack(s); placing an environmentally sensitive device adjacent the initial barrier stack(s); and placing additional barrier stack(s) adjacent the environmentally sensitive device on a side opposite the initial barrier stack(s).    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a cross-section of an edge-sealed, encapsulated environmentally sensitive device of the invention.    Substrate (405)    Decoupling layers (410, 412)    Barrier layers (415, 417, 435)    Initial barrier stacks (420, 422)    Environmentally sensitive device (430)    Additional barrier stack (440)