Complex structures consisting of intertwined, nominally vertical carbon nanotubes (CNTs), grown from a substrate, are called turfs. These turfs have promising electrical, thermal and mechanical properties for use in applications such as contact thermal switches. These properties are controlled by the details of the turf microstructures. Under uniform compression experiments CNT turfs exhibit permanent collective buckling of a layer preceded by reorientation of CNT segments. The buckling length is controlled by the nanostructural parameters of the turf which are the turf density, connectivity,...