An electrophoresis process is used to form a more efficient and controllable triggering mechanism for solid explosives ignited through the application of electromagnetic energy. Electrophoresis is used to overcome the Van der Waals forces that hold the nanostructures together to disperse and align the nanostructures to the field lines of an applied electric field in-situ in the explosive or ex-situ in a pre-preg layer (or layers) that is then introduced to the explosive. The in-situ process requires fewer steps but is more constrained in the trigger structures that can be formed and care must be taken not to detonate the explosive during the electrophoresis process. The ex-situ process requires additional steps but provides greater flexibility to create trigger structures and the electrophoresis process is performed on a lower viscosity non-explosive material.