Separation membrane cutting device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a separation membrane cutting device, and provides a separation membrane cutting device that performs separation membrane cutting for cross-sectional analysis of a separation membrane in a short time and minimizes cross-sectional damage caused by cutting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0043618 filed on April 3, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the document of the Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a separation membrane cutting device, and more particularly, to a separation membrane cutting device that performs separation membrane cutting for cross-sectional analysis of a separation membrane in a short time and minimizes cross-sectional damage caused by cutting.

Background Art

[0003] Separation membranes used in electrochemical devices such as secondary batteries play a role in transmitting ions while blocking the flow of electrons between the positive and negative electrodes.

[0004] That is, the separation membrane is a thin film of an insulating material and is a film that allows only lithium ions to pass through fine holes of 0.01 to 1 μm. It can be mainly manufactured from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), etc.

[0005] The separation membrane can prevent the positive and negative electrodes from directly contacting each other, prevent short circuits, and allow lithium ions to move through fine pores provided inside. At this time, if lithium ions pass through the separation membrane and move from the positive electrode to the negative electrode, the secondary battery is charged, and if they move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode, the battery discharges. Further, when the temperature of the cell rises above a certain level, the separation membrane blocks the fine pores to prevent a short circuit inside the secondary battery, is provided with high mechanical strength, and can play a role in ensuring safety by blocking by-products and foreign substances generated inside.

[0006] As described above, when designing a separation membrane so that it can function, it is important to observe the cross-section of the separation membrane to understand its structure.

[0007] Specifically, the separation membrane is deformed by conditions such as pressure and temperature applied during the manufacturing process, usage environment, etc. In order to observe the degree of deformation at this time, it is necessary to cut the separation membrane to form a cross-section to be observed.

[0008] However, the production of the cross-section of the separation membrane has been carried out only with equipment that requires skill, such as cryo-microtoming or ion milling.

[0009] For rapid observation and analysis, a technique that can easily produce the cross-section of the separation membrane by a simple operation for anyone is required.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] The present invention relates to a separation membrane cutting device, and an object thereof is to provide a separation membrane cutting device that performs separation membrane cutting for cross-section analysis of the separation membrane in a short time and minimizes cross-section damage caused by cutting.

[0011] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention includes: a sample placement jig having a separation membrane placement surface parallel to the vertical direction; a sample fixing jig that is closely fixed to the separation membrane placement surface with the separation membrane to be analyzed sandwiched therebetween; a cooling water tank that houses the sample placement jig therein; a base plate on which the cooling water tank is placed; a pair of support columns whose lower ends are fixed to the upper surface of the base plate and are arranged at intervals along a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction; a guide portion that extends in the first direction and each of both ends thereof is slidably coupled to each of the pair of support columns in the vertical direction; a moving portion that is slidably coupled to the guide portion in the first direction; and a separation membrane cutting blade mounted on the lower end of the moving portion. A blade insertion groove for inserting the separation membrane cutting blade is formed in the sample placement jig, and the blade insertion groove also has a shape that crosses the separation membrane placement surface in the vertical direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention can perform separation membrane cutting for cross-sectional analysis of the separation membrane in a short time, and can minimize cross-sectional damage caused by cutting.

[0014] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention can easily produce a separation membrane cross-section by anyone with a simple operation, enabling rapid observation and analysis of the separation membrane.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention includes: a sample placement jig having a separation membrane placement surface parallel to the vertical direction; a sample fixing jig that is closely fixed to the separation membrane placement surface with the separation membrane to be analyzed sandwiched therebetween; a cooling water tank that houses the sample placement jig inside; a base plate on which the cooling water tank is placed; a pair of support columns whose lower ends are fixed to the upper surface of the base plate and are arranged at intervals along a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction; a guide portion that extends in the first direction and both ends of which are slidably coupled to the respective support columns in the vertical direction; a moving portion that is slidably coupled to the guide portion in the first direction; a separation membrane cutting blade attached to the lower end of the moving portion; and a blade insertion groove for inserting the separation membrane cutting blade is formed in the sample placement jig, and the blade insertion groove also has a shape that crosses the separation membrane placement surface in the vertical direction.

[0017] In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, when the first direction is a direction perpendicular to the separation membrane placement surface and the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the vertical direction, the sample fixing jig consists of a pair, and the pair of sample fixing jigs are fixed so as to be in close contact with the separation membrane placement surface in a state of being separated along the second direction with the blade insertion groove therebetween.

[0018] In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, the sample fixing jig is also one that is closely attached to the sample placement jig by magnetic force.

[0019] In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, the first direction is a direction perpendicular to the separation membrane placement surface, the sample fixing jig is in the shape of a rod extending in the vertical direction, and the upper end portion of the sample fixing jig is also bent in the first direction.

[0020] In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, a jig alignment groove into which the lower end portion of the sample placement jig is inserted is formed on the bottom surface of the cooling water tank, and the sample placement jig is also such that its lower end portion is inserted into the jig alignment groove and aligned in a fixed position.

[0021] In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, the sample placement jig includes a placement jig body member having one side surface formed by the separation membrane placement surface, and a plurality of magnet members embedded and positioned on the separation membrane placement surface, and the lower end portion of the placement jig body member is also inserted into the jig alignment groove.

[0022] In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, the cooling water tank is filled with liquid nitrogen so that a part or all of the blade insertion groove is immersed, and the placement jig body member and the cooling water tank are made of the same material.

[0023] In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, a water tank alignment groove into which the lower end portion of the cooling water tank is inserted is also formed on the upper surface of the base plate.

[0024] In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, the guide portion includes a guide bar extending in the first direction and to which the moving portion is slidably coupled in the first direction, and a pair of guide members fixed to both end portions of the guide bar and slidably coupled in the vertical direction to each of the pair of support columns.

[0025] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention further includes a pair of elastic springs whose lower end portions are supported by the upper surface of the base plate and whose upper end portions are supported by each of the pair of guide members, and which can contract or expand in the vertical direction, and each of the pair of support columns is inserted into the center of each of the pair of elastic springs.

[0026] The method for cutting a separation membrane using the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention includes a separation membrane placement step of placing the separation membrane to be analyzed on the separation membrane placement surface so as to cover the blade insertion groove; a separation membrane fixing step of attaching the sample fixing jig to the separation membrane placement surface with the separation membrane to be analyzed sandwiched therebetween; a separation membrane alignment step of inserting the lower end portion of the sample placement jig into the jig alignment groove to position the sample placement jig at a fixed position inside the cooling water tank; an ethanol application step of applying ethanol to the separation membrane to be analyzed; a liquid nitrogen injection step of injecting liquid nitrogen into the cooling water tank; a separation membrane cutting step of lowering the moving part to insert the separation membrane cutting blade into the blade insertion groove and cutting the separation membrane to be analyzed; a jig discharge step of taking out the sample placement jig from the cooling water tank; and a separation membrane separation step of separating the separation membrane to be analyzed from the sample placement jig.

[0027] In the method for cutting a separation membrane of the present invention, the sample placement jig is provided with a handle member extending upward, and the liquid nitrogen is injected into the cooling water tank such that the liquid level formed by the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen injection step is located below the upper end portion of the handle member.

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, the sizes, shapes, etc. of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. Also, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may vary depending on the intention or convention of the user or operator. Definitions for such terms must be made based on the content throughout this specification.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", "one side", "the other side", etc. are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, or the directions or positional relationships usually assumed when the product of the present invention is in use. They are merely for the purpose of explaining the present invention and providing a brief description, and do not explicitly or implicitly imply that the displayed device or element must be configured or operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be understood that the present invention is limited thereby.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a separation membrane cutting device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where a sample placement jig 100 and a sample fixing jig 200 are combined. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the A-A' cross-section of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the side surface of the sample fixing jig 200. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the sample placement jig 100. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling water tank 300. FIG. 6B is a plan view showing the cooling water tank 300. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a base plate 400. FIG. 8 is a front view showing the front of the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a separation membrane cutting method of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an SEM image showing a cross-section of a separation membrane cut by microtoming and the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention.

[0031] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention will be described in detail. In FIGS. 1 to 8, the z-axis direction is the vertical direction, the x-axis direction is the first direction, and the y-axis direction is also the second direction. The vertical direction, the first direction, and the second direction are also perpendicular to each other.

[0032] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention can also produce a separation membrane cutting surface for cross-sectional observation with uniform quality in a short time regardless of the proficiency of the analyst.

[0033] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention can produce a large number of analysis samples in a short time.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention includes: a sample placement jig 100 having a separation membrane placement surface 113 parallel to the vertical direction; a sample fixing jig 200 that is closely fixed to the separation membrane placement surface with the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed sandwiched therebetween; a cooling water tank 300 that houses the sample placement jig 100 therein; a base plate 400 on which the cooling water tank 300 is placed; a pair of support columns 410 whose lower ends are fixed to the upper surface of the base plate 400 and are arranged at intervals along a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction; a guide part 500 that extends in the first direction and both ends of which are slidably coupled to the respective support columns 410 in the vertical direction; a moving part 600 that is slidably coupled to the guide part 500 in the first direction; and a separation membrane cutting blade 700 attached to the lower end of the moving part 600. A blade insertion groove 111 for inserting the separation membrane cutting blade 700 is formed in the sample placement jig 100, and the blade insertion groove 111 also has a shape that crosses the separation membrane placement surface 113 in the vertical direction.

[0035] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention also cuts the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed with a blade to form a cross-section after immersing and cooling the separation membrane in a refrigerant such as liquid nitrogen.

[0036] In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, the separation membrane 11 to be cut, for example, is a thin film of an insulating material, a film that allows only lithium ions to pass through fine holes of 0.01 to 1 μm, and is also made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), etc.

[0037] One side of the sample placement jig 100 is formed by a separation membrane placement surface 113, and the separation membrane placement surface 113 is also composed of a plane perpendicular to the first direction. The blade insertion groove 111 is formed on the separation membrane placement surface 113 and has a shape extending in the vertical direction. Among the inner peripheral surfaces of the blade insertion groove 111, the upper end portion is open, and the separation membrane cutting blade 700 descending from above the sample placement jig 100 is inserted into the blade insertion groove 111 through the upper end portion of the blade insertion groove 111. The separation membrane cutting blade 700 is inserted into the blade insertion groove 111 such that a part is located inside the blade insertion groove 111 and the remaining part protrudes outside the entrance of the blade insertion groove 111.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sample fixing jig 200 consists of a pair. The pair of sample fixing jigs 200 is fixed so as to be in close contact with the separation membrane placement surface 113 while being separated along the second direction with the blade insertion groove 111 therebetween. One side surface of the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed is in close contact with the separation membrane placement surface 113, and the other side surface is in close contact with the sample fixing jig 200. That is, the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed is sandwiched between the sample placement jig 100 and the sample fixing jig 200 and is fixed in position.

[0039] The length of the sample fixing jig 200 in the second direction is shorter than half of the length of the sample placement jig 100 in the second direction.

[0040] Among the surfaces of the sample fixing jig 200, the surface facing the separation membrane placement surface 113 is also composed of a plane. The sample fixing jig 200 is also in close contact with the sample placement jig 100 by magnetic force. The material of the sample fixing jig 200 is also a ferromagnetic material.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the sample fixing jig 200 is in the shape of a rod extending in the vertical direction, and the upper end of the sample fixing jig 200 can also be bent in the first direction. For example, the sample fixing jig 200 is composed of a flat plate with a shape extending in the vertical direction, with a side surface being a plane perpendicular to the first direction, and the upper part is in a shape bent in the first direction. The bent upper part of the sample fixing jig 200 also facilitates applying force when separating the sample fixing jig 200 from the sample placement jig 100.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the sample placement jig 100 includes a placement jig body member 110 with one side surface formed as the separation membrane placement surface 113, and a plurality of magnet members 120 embedded and positioned in the separation membrane placement surface 113.

[0043] For example, the placement jig body member 110 is in the shape of a column having a plane perpendicular to the first direction as the separation membrane placement surface 113. The upper end of the placement jig body member 110 can be formed in a shape divided by the blade insertion groove 111. The lower end of the placement jig body member 110 can be formed with a larger area than the upper part. The bottom surface of the placement jig body member 110 can be formed in a rectangular shape.

[0044] Grooves are formed in the separation membrane placement surface 113, and the plurality of magnet members 120 can be coupled to the placement jig body member 110 in a form inserted and embedded in the grooves. For example, four magnet members 120 are provided and arranged in two each with the blade insertion groove 111 in between. The plurality of magnet members 120 are arranged to be aligned in the vertical direction. Specifically, the plurality of magnet members 120 are arranged on both sides of the blade insertion groove 111 to be aligned in the vertical direction.

[0045] The sample placement jig 100 can be provided with a handle member 112 extending upward. The handle member 112 is fixed to the placement jig body member 110, and the upper end of the handle member 112 can be located at a position higher than the upper end of the placement jig body member 110.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6A, the cooling water tank 300 is also a water tank with an open top. For example, the cooling water tank 300 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top. On the bottom surface of the cooling water tank 300, a jig alignment groove 310 into which the lower end of the sample placement jig 100 is inserted is formed, and the sample placement jig 100 is also one in which the lower end is inserted into the jig alignment groove 310 and aligned in a fixed position. Specifically, the lower end of the placement jig body member 110 is also inserted into the jig alignment groove 310.

[0047] The cooling water tank 300 is filled with liquid nitrogen so that part or all of the blade insertion groove 111 is immersed, and the placement jig body member 110 and the cooling water tank 300 can be formed from the same material. For example, the materials of the cooling water tank 300 and the placement jig body member 110 are made of Teflon (registered trademark) material. Specifically, by providing the thermal expansion rates of the placement jig body member 110 and the cooling water tank 300 at the same level, the placement jig body member 110 can be detachably attached to and detached from the cooling water tank 300 regardless of the temperature.

[0048] The shape of the inlet of the jig alignment groove 310 can be formed in a shape corresponding to the bottom surface of the placement jig body member 110 so that the inner peripheral surface of the jig alignment groove 310 is in close contact with the side surface of the placement jig body member 110.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6B, an expansion groove 311 can be provided on the bottom surface of the cooling water tank 300. The expansion groove 311 is connected to the jig alignment groove 310. In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, the sample placement jig 100 is coupled to or separated from the cooling water tank 300 with the cooling water tank 300 filled with liquid nitrogen. The expansion groove 311 enables the inflow or discharge of liquid nitrogen into the jig alignment groove 310 when the sample placement jig 100 is attached or detached, and can prevent the attachment or detachment of the sample placement jig 100 from being obstructed by the pressure or volume of the liquid nitrogen.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, on the upper surface of the base plate 400, a water tank alignment groove 421 into which the lower end of the cooling water tank 300 is inserted is formed. In the base plate 400, a water tank alignment groove 421 and a column insertion groove 422 into which the lower end of the support column 410 is inserted may be formed. In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, the sample mounting jig 100 is aligned in a fixed position by the jig alignment groove 310, and the cooling water tank 300 is aligned in a fixed position by the water tank alignment groove 421, so that the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed is aligned at a position where it can be cut with respect to the separation membrane cutting blade 700.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8, the guide part 500 includes a guide bar 510 that extends in the first direction and to which the moving part 600 is slidably coupled in the first direction, and a pair of guide members 520 that are fixed to both ends of the guide bar 510 and are slidably coupled to each of the pair of support columns 410 in the vertical direction.

[0052] The guide bar 510 is in the form of a rod extending in the first direction. A through hole that penetrates the moving part 600 in the first direction is formed in the moving part 600, and the guide bar 510 is inserted into the through hole. At least two or more guide bars 510 are provided to prevent the moving part 600 from tilting.

[0053] The guide member 520 is also composed of a pair and is fixed to both ends of the guide bar 510. The guide member 520 can be coupled to the support column 410 so as to be linearly movable in the vertical direction.

[0054] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention further includes a pair of elastic springs 411 whose lower ends are supported on the upper surface of the base plate 400 and whose upper ends are supported on the respective pair of guide members 520, and can contract or expand in the vertical direction. At the center of each of the pair of elastic springs 411, each of the pair of support columns 410 is inserted. The analyst presses the moving part 600 downward to cut the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed with the separation membrane cutting blade 700. If the pressure applied by the analyst to the moving part 600 is removed, the moving part 600 can return to its original position by the restoring force of the elastic spring 411.

[0055] The separation membrane cutting blade 700 also has a blade formed to extend in the first direction. The blade of the separation membrane cutting blade 700 is formed downward, and the upper end of the separation membrane cutting blade 700 can be fixed to the lower end of the moving part 600.

[0056] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention can cut the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed in an ultra-low temperature atmosphere composed of liquid nitrogen. At this time, the separation membrane cutting blade 700 may be damaged even if it is used only once to cut the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed. If the damaged separation membrane cutting blade 700 is reused, the reproducibility of the analysis experiment may be reduced, and an error may occur in the analysis result. After cutting the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed with the separation membrane cutting blade 700, the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention moves the separation membrane cutting blade 700 a predetermined distance in the first direction through the moving part 600, and the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed can be cut with the unused part of the separation membrane cutting blade 700.

[0057] Furthermore, the moving part 600 includes a pair of moving members having a plane perpendicular to the second direction, and the pair of moving members can be bolted together with the separation membrane cutting blade 700 sandwiched therebetween. In the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention, the separation membrane cutting blade 700 is a consumable item, and after being used a certain number of times, replacement is essentially required. As described above, the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention fixes the separation membrane cutting blade 700 to the moving part 600 in an assembled manner rather than an adhesive manner, so that not only is it easy to replace the separation membrane cutting blade 700, but it is also easy to maintain the same cutting conditions before and after replacing the separation membrane cutting blade 700.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 9, the separation membrane cutting method of the present invention includes a separation membrane placement step (step S10) of placing the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed on the separation membrane placement surface 113 so as to cover the blade insertion groove 111; a separation membrane fixing step (step S20) of attaching the sample fixing jig 200 to the separation membrane placement surface 113 with the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed sandwiched therebetween; a separation membrane alignment step (step S30) of inserting the lower end portion of the sample placement jig 100 into the jig alignment groove 310 to position the sample placement jig 100 at a fixed position inside the cooling water tank 300; an ethanol application step (step S40) of applying ethanol to the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed; a liquid nitrogen injection step (step S50) of injecting liquid nitrogen into the cooling water tank 300; a separation membrane cutting step (step S60) of lowering the moving part 600 to insert the separation membrane cutting blade 700 into the blade insertion groove 111 to cut the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed; a jig discharge step (step S70) of taking out the sample placement jig 100 from the cooling water tank 300; and a separation membrane separation step (step S80) of separating the separation membrane 11 to be analyzed from the sample placement jig 100.

[0059] In the liquid nitrogen injection step, the liquid nitrogen is injected into the cooling water tank 300 such that the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen is located below the upper end portion of the handle member 112.

[0060] FIG. 10 is an SEM image showing a cross-section of a separation membrane produced by microtoming used in the production of a conventional separation membrane cross-section and a cross-section of a separation membrane produced by the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the left image is a cross-section of a separation membrane produced by conventional microtoming, and the right image is a cross-section of a separation membrane produced by the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention. It can be seen that the separation membrane cutting device of the present invention can produce a separation membrane cross-section in a short time, and the thickness of the produced separation membrane is almost the same as that of the separation membrane produced by microtoming.

[0061] As described above, the embodiments according to the present invention have been explained, but these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention must be determined by the scope of the claims.

Industrial Applicability

[0062] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention can perform separation membrane cutting for cross-sectional analysis of the separation membrane in a short time, and it is possible to minimize cross-sectional damage caused by cutting.

[0063] The separation membrane cutting device of the present invention can easily fabricate a separation membrane cross-section by anyone with a simple operation, enabling rapid observation and analysis of the separation membrane.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0064] 11: Separation membrane to be analyzed 100: Sample placement jig 110: Body member of the placement jig 111: Blade insertion groove 112: Handle member 113: Separation membrane placement surface 120: Magnet member 200: Sample fixing jig 300: Cooling water tank 310: Jig alignment groove 311: Expansion groove 400: Base plate 410: Support column 411: Elastic spring 421: Water tank alignment groove 422: Column insertion groove 500: Guide part 510: Guide bar 520: Guide member 600: Moving part 700: Blade for cutting the separation membrane

Claims

1. A sample placement jig having a separation membrane placement surface parallel to the vertical direction, A sample fixing jig that is closely fixed to the separation membrane placement surface with the separation membrane to be analyzed sandwiched therebetween, A cooling water tank that houses the sample placement jig inside, A base plate on which the cooling water tank is placed on the upper surface, A pair of support columns whose lower ends are fixed to the upper surface of the base plate and are arranged at intervals along a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, A guide portion that extends in the first direction and each of whose both ends is slidably coupled to each of the pair of support columns in the vertical direction, A moving portion slidably coupled to the guide portion in the first direction, A separation membrane cutting blade attached to the lower end of the moving portion, and A blade insertion groove for inserting the separation membrane cutting blade is formed in the sample placement jig, The separation membrane cutting device, wherein the blade insertion groove has a shape that traverses the separation membrane placement surface in the vertical direction.

2. The first direction is a direction perpendicular to the separation membrane placement surface, When the direction perpendicular to the first direction and the vertical direction is defined as the second direction, the sample fixing jig consists of a pair, The pair of sample fixing jigs are fixed so as to be in close contact with the separation membrane placement surface in a state of being separated along the second direction with the blade insertion groove therebetween. The separation membrane cutting device according to claim 1.

3. The separation membrane cutting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sample fixing jig is closely attached to the sample placement jig by magnetic force.

4. The first direction is a direction perpendicular to the separation membrane placement surface, The sample fixing jig has a rod shape extending in the vertical direction, The upper end of the sample fixing jig is bent in the first direction. The separation membrane cutting device according to claim 2.

5. A jig alignment groove into which the lower end of the sample placement jig is inserted is formed on the bottom surface of the cooling water tank, The separation membrane cutting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower end of the sample placement jig is inserted into the jig alignment groove and aligned at a fixed position.

6. The sample placement jig A placement jig body member having one side surface formed as the separation membrane placement surface, A plurality of magnet members embedded and positioned on the separation membrane placement surface, and The lower end of the placement jig body member is inserted into the jig alignment groove. The separation membrane cutting device according to claim 5.

7. The cooling water tank is filled with liquid nitrogen so that a part or the whole of the blade insertion groove is immersed. The placement jig body member and the cooling water tank are made of the same material, and the separation membrane cutting device according to claim 6.

8. On the upper surface of the base plate, a water tank alignment groove into which the lower end of the cooling water tank is inserted is formed, and the separation membrane cutting device according to claim 5.

9. The guide part is a guide bar extending in the first direction and slidably coupled to the moving part in the first direction, and a pair of guide members fixed to both ends of the guide bar and slidably coupled to each of the pair of support columns in the vertical direction, and the separation membrane cutting device according to claim 1 or 2.

10. Further includes a pair of elastic springs whose lower ends are supported by the upper surface of the base plate and whose upper ends are supported by each of the pair of guide members, and can contract or expand in the vertical direction. At the center of each of the pair of elastic springs, each of the pair of support columns is inserted, and the separation membrane cutting device according to claim 9.

11. In the separation membrane cutting method using the separation membrane cutting device according to claim 5, a separation membrane placement step of placing the analysis target separation membrane on the separation membrane placement surface so as to cover the blade insertion groove, a separation membrane fixing step of attaching the sample fixing jig to the separation membrane placement surface with the analysis target separation membrane sandwiched therebetween, a separation membrane alignment step of inserting the lower end of the sample placement jig into the jig alignment groove and positioning the sample placement jig inside the cooling water tank, an ethanol application step of applying ethanol to the analysis target separation membrane, a liquid nitrogen injection step of injecting liquid nitrogen into the cooling water tank, a separation membrane cutting step of lowering the moving part to insert the separation membrane cutting blade into the blade insertion groove and cutting the analysis target separation membrane, a jig discharge step of removing the sample placement jig from the cooling water tank, a separation membrane separation step of separating the analysis target separation membrane from the sample placement jig, and includes a separation membrane cutting method.

12. The sample placement jig is provided with a handle member extending upward. In the liquid nitrogen injection step, inject the liquid nitrogen into the cooling water tank so that the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen is located below the upper end of the handle member, and the separation membrane cutting method according to claim 11.

Images