Capillary assisted vitrification processes and devices

A process for vitrification of one or more biological materials above cryogenic temperature of said biological material, the method comprising:

• a) providing a first membrane and a second membrane, the first membrane, the second membrane or both comprising a plurality of contiguous capillary channels, said capillary channels having a first opening and a second opening;
• b) providing a vitrification mixture, said vitrification mixture comprising one or more biological materials and a vitrification medium;
• c) contacting said first membrane and said second membrane with said vitrification mixture such that the first membrane contacts a first surface of the vitrification mixture and the second membrane contacts a second surface of the vitrification mixture, the first membrane and second membrane contacting the vitrification mixture such that the first opening of said capillary channels is operably in contact with said vitrification mixture;
• d) said second openings of said capillary channels directly operably in communication with a surrounding atmosphere having humidity below that of said vitrification mixture;
• and
• e) desiccating away the said vitrification mixture by capillary action above cryogenic temperature until the said vitrification mixture enters into a glassy state.