The exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and a thermal interface material with aligned graphite nanofibers in the thermal interface material to enhance the thermal interface material performance. The thermal interface material having a thickness between a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The comprising thermal interface material includes a plurality of carbon nanofibers (CNFs), wherein a majority of the CNFs are oriented orthogonal to a plane of the first surface. The apparatus includes the thermal interface material, and a first object having a third surface; and a second object having a fourth surface; wherein the thermal interface material is sandwiched between the third surface and the fourth surface.