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We report on a new class of Ising machines (IMs) that rely on coupled parametric frequency dividers (PFDs) as macroscopic artificial spins. Unlike the IM counterparts based on subharmonic-injection locking (SHIL), PFD IMs donot require strong injected continuous-wave signals or applied dc voltages. Therefore, they show a significantly lower power consumption per spin compared to SHIL-based IMs, making it feasible to accurately solve large-scale combinatorial optimization problems that are hard or even impossible to solve by using the current von Neumann computing architectures. Furthermore, using high quality factor resonators in the PFD design makes PFD IMs able to exhibit a nanowatt-level power per spin. Also, it remarkably allows a speedup of the phase synchronization among the PFDs, resulting in shorter time to solution and lower energy to solution despite the resonators’ longer relaxation time. As a proof of concept, a 4-node PFD IM has been demonstrated. This IM correctly solves a set of Max-Cut problems while consuming just 600 nanowatts per spin. This power consumption is 2 orders of magnitude lower than the power per spin of state-of-the-art SHIL-based IMs operating at the same frequency. 

There has been continuous and growing interest in edible insects. Worldwide, various levels of insect farming are emerging, ranging from small domestic farms to vertical farms reaching heights of 36 meters, accommodating several million growing insects. The appeal of insects lies in their ecological benefits, as they contribute to the valorization of underutilized organic residues while requiring minimal space and water. The selection of insect species is influenced not only by their biology and behavior but also by local preferences and customs, varying with the scale of production and geographical location. This review article aims to provide an updated overview of the main insect species produced across different continents, their current level of industrialization, and production prospects based on available literature.