Fan Shen

Associate Researcher, School of System Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China

shenfan@mail.sysu.edu.cnGitHubORCID

I work on modeling, simulation and model credibility for complex systems. I trained in aerospace at Harbin Institute of Technology and worked with Rolls-Royce at Queen's University Belfast on whole-engine structural design, where decisions rest on simulations that cannot be fully tested.

I now bring the same practice, integrating models from many sources and grading how far each can be trusted, to individual health and behavioral decisions, where published findings rarely become models anyone can run.

Research

• Life Matters. An open framework and model library that turns published health and behavioral findings into runnable, composable models for individual decisions. Code: Reference Engine, Model library.
• Structural Topology Optimisation. Topology optimisation of gas turbine engine and nacelle components with Rolls-Royce partners.
• Solar Sail Deformation and Adjustment. Deformation modeling and trajectory adjustment for flexible solar sail structures.

Experience

Education

Publications

• J. Liu, J. Luo, L. Liu, L. Zhang, R. Li, F. Shen. Chaotic pitch motion and its stabilization of solar sails subjected to environmental torques in low Earth orbits. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, 194, 116210, 2025.
• J. Liu, J. Wang, B. Yang, L. Yuan, F. Shen. Shape control of space reflector integrated by sub-reflectors utilizing adjustable solar radiation pressure force. Advances in Space Research, 75(7), 5718–5735, 2025.
• L. Wang, D. Toal, I. Voutchkov, A. Keane, F. Shen, T. Robinson, A. Murphy, et al.. Structural topology optimisation of a gas turbine engine and nacelle integration components employing A medial surface representation. Aerospace Europe Conference, 2020.
• F. Shen, S. Rong, N. Cui, X. Kong. A tensor-based modelling and simulation method for multibody system. Engineering Computations, 34(4), 1107–1125, 2017.
• F. Shen, S. Rong, H. Zhang, F. Peng, N. Cui. Correction and adjusting for the deformation on solar sail. CEAS Space Journal, 8(4), 315–322, 2016.
• F. Shen, S. Rong, J. Liu, N. Cui. A multi-leveled coordinate for multibody mechanics. MATEC Web of Conferences, 51, 01008, 2016.
• J. Liu, N. Cui, F. Shen, S. Rong, X. Wen. Dynamic modeling and analysis of a flexible sailcraft. Advances in Space Research, 56(4), 693–713, 2015.
• J. Liu, F. Shen, S. Rong, N. Cui. Dynamics of short tether-net system during deorbiting. Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, 87, 2015.
• J. Liu, N. Cui, F. Shen, S. Rong. Nonlinear static analysis-based thrust for solar sail. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G, 2015.
• J. Liu, N. Cui, F. Shen, S. Rong. Dynamics of the space tug system with a short tether. International Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2015(1), 740253, 2015.
• J. Liu, N. Cui, F. Shen, S. Rong. Dynamics of highly-flexible solar sail subjected to various forces. Acta Astronautica, 103, 55–72, 2014.
• J. Liu, N. Cui, F. Shen, S. Rong. Dynamics of Robotic GEostationary orbit Restorer system during deorbiting. IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, 29(11), 36–42, 2014.
• 荣思远, 郭涛源, 张化岚, 彭福军, 崔乃刚, 沈凡. 柔性太阳帆航天器姿态动力学建模与控制技术研究. 2014年可展开空间结构学术会议摘要集, 2014.
• 沈凡, 荣思远, 杨辰, 刘宇飞, 崔乃刚. 太阳帆结构设计与比较分析. 2014年可展开空间结构学术会议摘要集, 2014.
• J. Liu, S. Rong, F. Shen, N. Cui. Dynamics and control of a flexible solar sail. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2014(1), 868419, 2014.
• 刘宇飞, 荣思远, 沈凡, 成正爱, 黄小琦. 太阳帆探测器构型选择研究. 中国宇航学会深空探测技术专业委员会第十届学术年会论文集, 2013.
• J. Liu, F. Shen, S. Rong, N. Cui. Research on solar sail dynamic modeling and attitude control [J]. Journal of Harbin Engineering University, 32(12), 1582–1587, 2011.
• 刘家夫, 沈凡, 荣思远, 崔乃刚. 太阳帆动力学建模与姿态控制. 哈尔滨工程大学学报, 32(12), 1582–1587, 2011.

Open-source software

• Tasks Flowchart. An Obsidian plugin that draws task dependencies as a flowchart, for projects where the order of work matters.
• Smart Fold. An Obsidian plugin that folds a long note into its outline with one click.