US Patent 8048688 - Improving thermal and mechanical characteristics of nanotube arrays

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8048688.html

This patent from Samsung teaches a way to improve the properties of carbon nanotubes used as a thermal interface material for cooling IC devices. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for increasing thermal conductivity and thermal performance of material comprising an array of any of (i) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) arranged vertically, (ii) carbon nanofibers (CNFs) arranged vertically, and (iii) nanowires arranged vertically, comprising:

repeatedly applying a compressive force to said material, wherein the compressive force is applied in a direction parallel to the any of (i) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) arranged vertically, (ii) carbon nanofibers (CNFs) arranged vertically, and (iii) nanowires arranged vertically.