Dendritic fiber material

Abstract

A thermal interface includes nanofibrils. The nanofibrils may be attached to a flat base or membrane, or may be attached to the tip portions of larger diameter fibers. The nanofibrils have a diameter of less than about 1 micron, and may advantageously be formed from single walled and/or multi-walled nanotubes.

1 . A method of making a composite material comprising attaching whiskers having a diameter of less than about 1 micron to the tips of fibers having a diameter of greater than about 3 microns.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said whiskers and said fibers both comprise carbon.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said second fiber is nickel coated.  
   
   
       4 . A method of making a composite material comprising: 
 cutting a plurality of first fibers;    sputtering a nickel film onto at least the tips of said plurality of first fibers; and    growing a plurality of second fibers on the tips.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein growing said plurality of second fibers includes utilizing plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.