The goal of the SUPREMATIE project consists in investigating the possibility of priming high explosives by the decomposition of nanothermites. Nanothermites are versatile energetic compositions which are prepared by mixing nanoparticles of metallic oxides and a reducing metal. The mixture can be performed either by dispersing nanopowders in a liquid or by a chemical coating process. The energy released per unit volume by the combustion of thermites is higher than the one of most explosives. Classical thermites are made of micrometric particles. Their decomposition rates are slow and are responsible for their small combustion power. Conversely, nanothermites possess decomposition rates which are close to those of explosives. The power released by the combustion of nanothermites seems to be high enough to induce the deflagration -or even the detonation- of high explosives. The explosives that will be studied to validate the concept are: the pentrite (PETN), the hexogen (RDX) and the hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20). The priming of the explosives will be studied by using the aluminothermic reaction of nanothermites which have been identified by the experimental characterization as the most reactive (e.g. WO3/Al; CuO/Al; Bi2O3/Al…) Up to now, the priming of high explosives is performed by the detonation of primary explosives such as metallic azides or fulminates (Ag, Pb, Hg), or the perchlorates of nitrogen complexes of transition metals (BNCP). The use of nanothermites for this purpose is a novel concept. Nanothermites have the advantage of being very stable along time and far less sensitive to thermal and impact stresses than primary explosives. Furthermore, nanothermites have extremely reproducible reactive properties and can be activated by mixing processes just before being ignited. The demonstration of the fact that high explosives could be primed by nanothermites should open new horizons in the field of pyrotechnic security, due to the relative -or absolute- flegmatisation of the most sensitive components of pyrotechnic chains. In addition, the chemicals used to formulate nanothermites can be chosen in order to minimize the toxicity of the nanothermite and of its combustion products. These aspects are all the more important as the use of explosives for civilian purposes will considerably increase in the coming years. Many fields of human activity are concerned: civilian security; spatial, automotive pyrotechnics; fireworks; demolition of concrete structures; natural resources extraction; treatment of nuclear waste and novel applications in electronics or medicine. The validation of the concept proposed in this project could lead to dual applications corresponding to well-defined needs. The last step of the project will consist to study the integration of {nanothermite + explosive} systems in 9 mm bullets used by homeland security services. These high energy ammunitions will significantly improve the defensive response ability of the law enforcement officers against criminals armed with assault weapons.