A journal of IFAC, the International Federation of Automatic Control

This international journal covers the application of control theory, operations research, computer science and engineering principles to the solution of process control problems. In addition to the traditional chemical processing and manufacturing applications, the scope of process control problems involves a wide range of applications that includes energy processes, nano-technology, systems biology, bio-medical engineering, pharmaceutical processing technology, energy storage and conversion, smart grid, and data analytics among others.

Papers on the theory in these areas will also be accepted provided the theoretical contribution is aimed at the application and the development of process control techniques.

Topics covered include:

• Control applications• Process monitoring• Plant-wide control• Process control systems• Control techniques and algorithms• Process modelling and simulation• Design methods

Advanced design methods exclude well established and widely studied traditional design techniques such as PID tuning and its many variants. Applications in fields such as control of automotive engines, machinery and robotics are not deemed suitable unless a clear motivation for the relevance to process control is provided.

Special Issue on DYCOPS 2025
Día de Entrega: 2026-01-02

DYCOPS is a triennial symposium of the International Federation of Automatic Control. DYCOPS focuses on recent developments in the control, modeling, data-based analysis, and design of chemical, biochemical and related process systems. DYCOPS provides an excellent opportunity to researchers and practitioners from all over the world to learn about and discuss the most recent developments and new directions in the fields of manufacturing processes; model-based control; big data analytics and process monitoring; modeling and identification; energy, water and sustainability; and scheduling and optimization. DYCOPS traditionally covers both, control applications in a variety of industries, and current theoretical and methodological developments. Special issues for DYCOPS symposia have successfully been compiled before. Since DYCOPS is held triennially, the special issue will showcase the progress made in the field in the last three years. Given strong new trends and drivers, such as the need for circular economies, the renewed interest in data-driven methods emerging from recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and machine learning, the special issue encompasses a wide array of innovative subjects.

Guest editors:

Prof. Ali Mesbah (Executive Guest Editor)
University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
Email: mesbah@berkeley.edu
Areas of Expertise: Model predictive control; Learning-based control; Process Systems

Prof. Rudiyanto Gunawan
University at Buffalo, Buffalo, USA
Email: rgunawan@buffalo.edu
Areas of Expertise: Systems biology; Bioinformatics; Biochemical processes

Prof. Miroslav Fikar
Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
Email: miroslav.fikar@stuba.sk
Areas of Expertise: Process control; Optimal control; Chemical engineering

Dr. Radoslav Paulen
Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
Email: radoslav.paulen@stuba.sk
Areas of Expertise: Optimal control; Dynamic optimization; Process control

Special issue information:

The Special Issue of DYCOPS will feature high-quality, original contributions reflecting the latest advances and emerging trends in the modeling, control, optimization, and data-based analysis of chemical, biochemical, and related process systems. This special issue aims to bring together theoretical and methodological developments with practical implementations. The special issue will capture the state of the art and progress achieved in the three years since the previous DYCOPS symposium.

The scope of the special issue includes, but is not limited to, the following themes:

    Model-based and data-driven control of process systems, including hybrid and intelligent control architectures.
    Modeling, identification, and simulation for process understanding, design, and operation.
    Big data analytics, process monitoring, and fault detection, with emphasis on industrial-scale applications.
    Scheduling, optimization, and decision-making under uncertainty and real-time constraints.
    Integration of process systems engineering with sustainability goals, including energy efficiency, water management, and circular economy strategies.
    Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in process control, monitoring, and optimization.
    Innovative industrial applications in manufacturing, biochemical, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors.

Manuscript submission information:

Important Dates:

    Submission Open Date: October 20, 2025
    Submission Deadline: January 2, 2026
    Notification of Acceptance: August 31, 2026

Contributed papers must be submitted via the Journal of Process Control online submission system (Editorial Manager®): Please select the article type “VSI: DYCOPS 2025” when submitting the manuscript online.

All submissions deemed suitable to be sent for peer review will be reviewed by at least two independent reviewers. Once your manuscript is accepted, it will go into production and will be simultaneously published in the current regular issue and pulled into the online Special Issue. Articles from this Special Issue will appear in different regular issues of the journal, though they will be clearly marked and branded as Special Issue articles.

Please refer to the Guide for Authors to prepare your manuscript.

For any further information, the authors may contact the Guest Editors.

Keywords:

Model-based Control and Optimization; Modeling and Identification; Model-based Control and Optimization; AI for Process Data Analytics and Monitoring; AI for Control and Optimization; Industrial and Manufacturing Applications; Bioprocess Technology; Metabolic Engineering and Systems Biology; Environment, Energy and Sustainability