Abstract: A method for fabricating a carbon nanotube yarn includes providing a plurality of carbon nanotube arrays; pulling out, by using a tool, a first carbon nanotube structure from one of the carbon nanotube arrays; pulling out a subsequent carbon nanotube structure from another one of the carbon nanotube arrays; joining a leading end of the subsequent carbon nanotube structure to a trailing portion of the carbon nanotube structure already formed by contacting the leading end of the subsequent carbon nanotube structure with the trailing portion of the already-formed carbon nanotube structure, with the contact occurring along a common lengthwise direction of the two carbon nanotube structures, thereby forming a lengthened carbon nanotube structure; repeating the pulling and the joining until the lengthened carbon nanotube structure has a desired length; and treating the lengthened carbon nanotube structure with an organic solvent.

Abstract: A method for making a thermal interface material includes the steps of: (a) providing an array of carbon nanotubes formed on a substrate, the carbon nanotubes having interfaces defined therebetween; (b) providing a transferring device and disposing at least one low melting point metallic material above the array of carbon nanotubes, using the transferring device; and (c) heating the low melting point metallic material and the array of carbon nanotube to a certain temperature to make the at least one low melting point metallic material melt, then flow into the interspaces between the carbon nanotubes, and combine (e.g., mechanically) with the array of carbon nanotubes to acquire a carbon-nanotube-based thermal interface material.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a carbon nanotube yarn includes providing a plurality of carbon nanotube arrays; pulling out, by using a tool, a first carbon nanotube structure from one of the carbon nanotube arrays; pulling out a subsequent carbon nanotube structure from another one of the carbon nanotube arrays; joining a leading end of the subsequent carbon nanotube structure to a trailing portion of the carbon nanotube structure already formed by contacting the leading end of the subsequent carbon nanotube structure with the trailing portion of the already-formed carbon nanotube structure, with the contact occurring along a common lengthwise direction of the two carbon nanotube structures, thereby forming a lengthened carbon nanotube structure; repeating the pulling and the joining until the lengthened carbon nanotube structure has a desired length; and treating the lengthened carbon nanotube structure with an organic solvent.

Abstract: A method for making a thermal interface material includes the steps of: (a) providing an array of carbon nanotubes formed on a substrate, the carbon nanotubes having interfaces defined therebetween; (b) providing a transferring device and disposing at least one low melting point metallic material above the array of carbon nanotubes, using the transferring device; and (c) heating the low melting point metallic material and the array of carbon nanotube to a certain temperature to make the at least one low melting point metallic material melt, then flow into the interspaces between the carbon nanotubes, and combine (e.g., mechanically) with the array of carbon nanotubes to acquire a carbon-nanotube-based thermal interface material.