Abstract: Methods and compositions of storing a biological material are described herein. In some embodiments, these methods provide one or more advantages over current methods. For example, methods described herein can be used to prepare and process biological materials for storage at elevated temperatures. In one aspect, a method of storing a biological material comprises providing a preservation composition and exposing the preservation composition to electromagnetic radiation to form an amorphous solid matrix containing the biological material. In some embodiments, the method further comprises monitoring temperature of the preservation composition during the exposure to the electromagnetic radiation.