Abstract: A composite structure includes a plurality of laminate layers containing resin reinforced with carbon fiber; and a laminate coated with a metallic layer integrated with a transition metal oxide that is laid up as a topmost layer of the plurality of laminate layers. The plurality of laminate layers and the coated laminate are cured to form a composite material in a defined process to (i) integrate the transition metal oxide in the composite material, (ii) utilize transformed magnetic properties of the transition metal oxide to integrate the transition metal oxide into the metallic layer to coat the laminate, and (iii) utilize transformed optical properties of the transition metal oxide to achieve infrared shielding beyond a phase transition temperature of the transition metal oxide.