Recent progress of thermal interface materials

This paper reviews the status and recent progress achieved in the research of thermal interface materials (TIMs). The focus is on the research work performed in academia. The research and development work carried out in industry is also generally introduced. The existing TIM technologies have been categorized into eight main types and comprehensively analyzed. The state-of-the-art-research is then summarized and discussed with an emphasis on the carbon-filled materials. Other aspects of the TIM-related research, including theoretical study, modeling work, and characterization etc., are also briefly covered.