1）石油化工过程智能建模、控制与优化；2）过程系统工程；3）高维复杂模式的分析与处理；4）计算机技术、智能计算技术及其应用；

Xuefeng Yan*. Hybrid Artificial Neural Network Based on BP-PLSR and Its Application in Naphtha Dry Point Model. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 2010, 103, 152-159.
Chao Chen, Xuefeng Yan*. Selection and Transformation of Input Variables for RVM Based on MI-PCA-MI and 4-CBA Concentration Model. Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/apj.1630.
Chunping Hu, Xuefeng Yan*. A Hybrid Differential Evolution Algorithm Integrates with Ant System and Its Application to Estimate Kinetic Parameters for SO2 Oxidation. Computers & mathematics with applications, 2011, 62, 32-43.
Chuanxin Yang, Xuefeng Yan*. A New Fuzzy-based Adaptive Genetic Algorithm and Its Application in Chemical Engineering. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2011, 19(2), 299-307.
Guoqing Wu, Chao Chen, Xuefeng Yan*. Modified Minimum Covariance Determinant Estimator and Its Application to Outlier Detection of Chemical Process Data. Journal of Applied Statistics, 2011, 38(5), 1007-1020.
Yan Xuefeng*. Multivariate Outlier Detection Based on Self-Organizing Map and Adaptive Nonlinear Map and Its Application. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 2011, 107(2), 251-257.
Qinqin Fan, Xuefeng Yan*. Differential Evolution Algorithm with Co-evolution of Control Parameters and Penalty Factors for Constrained Optimization Problems. Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2010. DOI:10.1002/apj.524.
Chunping Hu, Xuefeng Yan*. A Self-adaptive Differential Evolution Algorithm Based on Ant System with Application to Estimate Kinetic Parameters. Optimization, 2010, DOI:10.1080/02331934.2010.506614.
Xuefeng Yan*, Weixiang Zhao. 4-CBA Concentration Soft Sensor Based on Modified Back Propagation Algorithm Embeded with Ridge Regression. Intelligent Automation and Soft Computing, 2009, 15(1), 41-51.
Wentong Cui, Xuefeng Yan*. Integrated Adaptive Weighted Least Square Support Vector Machine Regression and Its Application in QSAR. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 2009, 98, 130-135.
Chunping Hu, Xuefeng Yan*. An Immune Self-adaptive Differential Evolution Algorithm with Application to Estimate Kinetic Parameters for Homogeneous Mercury Oxidation. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2009, 17(2), 232-240.
Chunping Hu, Xuefeng Yan*. Engineering Optimization, 2009, 41(11), 1051-1062.