Abstract
We propose a variable thermal interface based on an array of discrete liquid droplets initially confined on hydrophilic islands in the substrate. The droplets are reversibly morphologically transferred to a continuous liquid film when mechanically compressed by the opposite substrate to create a heat-conducting pathway with low thermal resistance. We study the criterion of reversible transition in terms of hydrophilic sample size and liquid volume. The dependence of fluid morphology and rupture distance on the diameter and distribution share of hydrophilic Islands, fluid volume, as wellas load pressure, is also characterized from a theoretical and experimental point of view. The thermal resistance in thisstate is characterized experimentally for ionic liquids, which are promising for practical use due to the insignificant vapor pressure. A service life test unit has been designed to assess the reliability of the interface under continuous switching conditions at relatively high switching frequencies