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 membrane comprising a plurality of contiguous capillary channels, each of 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 membrane with said vitrification mixture such that the membrane contacts a surface of the vitrification mixture, the 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.