Why researchers are much more focused on sliding mode control theory nowadays? How does it support modern control thoery ? Are there few case studies simulations available preferably in Matlab to get better understanding of this phenomenon ?
Sliding mode control is a robust control against disturbance and parameter variation, moreover it is applicable on any state model and we can use it as estimation algorithm. and it very simple for implementation
Owing to its satisfied robustness to parametric uncertainties and external disturbances, sliding mode control has been widely used in industrial control. You can download some Matlab simulation programs from http://ljk.buaa.edu.cn
The SMC theory is robust against parameters uncertainties, external disturbances, very simple to understand, even more it's simple to implement, i advace you to refer to "Apllied to nonlinear control" from J. Slotine.