Professor Li teaches CH E 446 - Process Dynamics and Control and CH E 574 - Process Optimisation. As today's process industries rely heavily on automation and digital technologies, he believes students need to understand not only engineering theories, but also how these technologies are used to operate real plants safely and efficiently. "Hands-on learning helps bridge that gap and gives students a much better understanding of engineering practice," he says.
His Smart Plant Automation lab introduces you to the fundamentals of industrial automation with a Distributed Control System (DCS) platform — the same technology used in modern chemical plants and other process industries. Students apply concepts from process control and automation to solve practical problems such as maintaining stable operation, responding to disturbances, and improving process performance. “They begin to understand how engineering decisions affect process behaviour and why effective monitoring and control are essential for reliable plant operation,” he says.
The experience is crucial in developing soft skills such as problem-solving, troubleshooting, communication, and decision-making. “These experiences help prepare them for the collaborative and fast-paced environment of modern industry," he says.