Professor Chai’s research has focused on the development of advanced control theories and their application to complex industrial processes, particularly adaptive control, decoupling control, and the integrated optimisation of metallurgical, chemical, and energy systems. Through sustained collaboration with major process industries in China, he has developed adaptive control frameworks and intelligent operational feedback methodologies for complex production systems, with applications in steel, non-ferrous metal, and cement manufacturing. These studies have contributed to improvements in process stability, product quality, energy efficiency, and environmental performance, while demonstrating how advanced control theory can be translated into large-scale industrial practice. He has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications and several monographs, with an h-index exceeding 40 and thousands of citations. His research has also contributed to the development and deployment of industrial control systems across numerous production facilities in China and abroad. Through leadership of major national research programmes, international collaborative projects, and doctoral education, Professor Chai has contributed to the integration of control theory, industrial automation, and intelligent manufacturing, addressing the engineering challenges of efficient, low-carbon, and sustainable industrial production.