Patent ID: 8589102

Claim:
A method for monitoring the response of thermal interface material located in a gap between an electronic component and a heat spreader, comprising: providing a tape including a first layer of electrically conductive tape within the gap and above the electronic component, a second layer of electrically conductive tape within the gap and between the first layer of electrically conductive tape and the thermal interface material, and a dielectric layer between and electrically isolating the first and second lavers of electrically conductive tape, the second layer of electrically conductive tape comprising a first electrode; applying an electric potential to the first electrode and to a second electrode on an opposite side of the thermal interface material, the first layer of electrically conductive tape blocking capacitive coupling from the electronic component; subjecting at least one of the thermal interface material, the electronic component and the heat spreader to a changing physical condition; monitoring changes in the electrical capacitance between the electrodes during and caused by the changing physical condition, and outputting data reflecting changes in the monitored electrical capacitance during the changing physical condition.