The heat sink is secured to a printed circuit board with at least one heat generating component through the fixing portion of the base. The heat sink is improved by forming one or more slots at lateral sides of the base such that one or more deformable portions can be defined on the base. (Free Patents Online)

Heatsinks must be designed in a way that air can easily and quickly float through the cooler, and reach all cooling fins. Especially heatsinks having a very large amount of fine fins, with small distances between the fins may not allow good air flow. A compromise between high surface (many fins with small gaps between them) and good aerodynamics must be found. (The Heatsink Guide)

If your chip surpasses a certain temperature, it will fail and cease to operate. Finding a heat sink will be vital to keeping the chip humming and performing as it was meant to. (eHow.com)