I'm not an expert on applications of black stuff, but having ultra black coatings can help get away with complex optical designs where you would have flares or loose resolution to scattered light inside your tube assembly. Also an optical design that's difficult to pull off mechanically may be easier to manufacture if you just use this coatings inside the tube and on the baffling.

Oh god. We developed the blackest tshirt in the world. So I know much more about this subject than what is possibly good for my mental health lol

I made a comparison video about the ultra blacks that are freely available https://youtu.be/ElVzQ2M6vh0

Regarding VB and the MIT stuff, they are hi-tech and useful for optical applications like space telescopes.

Interestingly, the creator of Vantablack told me that there are also some export restrictions due to it's possible usefulness in stealth technology where you want to get rid of stray light.

Let me know if you have additional questions

I'm wondering if one use could be solar ovens.

While it may or may not be the primary motivation for research, I'd speculate that it's great for making stealth satellites.

Painting your car in it to avoid lidar

vr headsets could benefit: less glare

It's cool.

black is the new black