the invention discloses the incorporation of nanostructured additives into high - performance , hydrogen - rich polymeric materials to provide radiation shields for use against galactic cosmic radiation and solar energetic particles as well as secondary particulate and electromagnetic radiation resulting from nuclear reactions within the shield . nanostructured materials are defined as having at least one dimension in the nanometer range , and may include metallic and metal - oxide nanoparticles , nanotubes , nanoclays , coated polymeric nanoparticles and pairs of materials forming a nanostructured interface . functionalization of additives is performed to increase their compatability with polymeric materials . hydrogen - rich polymers refer to those having interstitial hydrogen or hydrogen - containing materials pendant to the polymer backbone . one embodiment of the invention comprises a radiation shield in which a nanostructured additive capable of shielding against electromagnetic radiation is incorporated with a hydrogen - rich polymer capable of slowing energetic particles . multifunctional structural shields may also protect against atomic oxygen degradation and control electrostatic discharge .