Methods for forming ignitable heterogeneous structures

A method of forming a metastable intermolecular composite (MIC), comprising:

• providing a pressure level of <10−8 torr base pressure in a deposition chamber;
• sputter depositing a first layer of a first material comprising a metal that is reactive with water vapor at room temperature, and
• sputter depositing a second layer of a second material comprising a metal oxide on said first layer, said first and said second material being capable of an exothermic chemical reaction with one another to form at least one product, said first and said second layer in sufficiently close physical proximity to one another so that upon initiation of said exothermic chemical reaction develops into a self initiating chemical reaction,
• wherein a sputter gas used for said sputter depositings is gettered to reduce water vapor using a heated metal getter purifier before reaching said deposition chamber, and
• wherein an interfacial region averaging <1 nm thick is formed between said first layer and said second layer from a reaction of said first material with water vapor.