A chip for igniting nanoenergetic materials, includes a substrate, an igniter positioned on the substrate and the nanoenergetic material arranged in a linear pattern positioned on said substrate. A method of making a chip for igniting nanoenergetic materials includes providing a substrate, forming an igniter on the substrate and coating the substrate with a polymer layer. A pattern of nanoenergetic material comprising a fuel and an oxidizer is formed on the substrate. The nanoenergetic material is ignited by the igniter by supplying power to the leads attached to the heater film.