Patent ID: 7291396
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: H01L,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A thermal interface material comprising: a matrix having a first surface and an opposite second surface; at least one phase change layer formed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface, the at least one phase change layer existing at a temperature below a phase change temperature of the at least one phase change layer; and a plurality of carbon nanotubes embedded in the matrix, the carbon nanotubes extending from the first surface to the second surface and each having two opposite ends, at least one of the two ends of the carbon nanotubes being exposed out of a corresponding at least one of the first and second surfaces of the matrix to form at least one plurality of exposed ends, the at least one plurality of exposed ends of the carbon nanotubes being elastically bent and/or embedded in the corresponding at least one phase change layer formed thereat; wherein when the at least one phase change layer is exposed to a temperature at or above the phase change temperature thereof, the at least one phase change layer changes into a liquid state, and the at least one plurality of exposed ends of the carbon nanotubes elastically spring back and extend out of the corresponding at least one phase change layer.