Cell encapsulating droplets have medical applications including single to few cell cryopreservation. We have demonstrated that we can vitrify cells encapsulated in cryoprotectant droplets. This creates a new regime for biopreservation using cell encapsulating droplets. Vitrifying at low cryoprotectant concentrations decreases the possible osmotic shock to cells and cytotoxicity levels within the cell.
High-speed recording of vitrifying PrOH droplet in liquid nitrogen via Fastcam SA5, Photron. The real-time timestamp is on the 4th line of the video running as the video plays. The radius of the droplet in motion is 217.34 µm. The Leidenfrost floating time from the initial droplet contact with liquid nitrogen till the droplet sinks is 2.15 seconds.