Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to structures comprising a nanostructure layer that includes a plurality of transparent conductors and coating layer formed on a surface thereof. In some embodiments, the coating layer includes one or more conductive plugs having outer and inner surfaces. The inner surface the plug is placed in electrical communication with the nanostructure layer and the outer surface forms conductive surface contacts proximate an outer surface of the coating layer. In some embodiments, the structure includes a polarizer and is used as a shielding layer in flat panel electrochromic displays, such as liquid crystal displays, touch panels, and the like.