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Jean Potvin, Ph.D.

Professor
Physics

Education

B. Sc. in Physics, 1978, Universite Laval, Quebec City, Canada
M. Sc. in Physics, 1980, Universite Laval, Quebec City, Canada
Ph. D. in Physics, 1985, University of Colorado-Boulder

Research Interests

  • Fluid mechanics: Interaction between fluids and limp structures such as fabric materials
  • Physical zoology: hydrodynamics and physics of whale lunge feeding
  • Physical zoology: CFD modeling of the hydrodynamics of toothed and baleen whales 
  • Aerodynamics: Inflation and flight of parachutes

Publications and Media Placements

  • Goldbogen JA, Cade D, Calambokidis, J, Friedleander AS, Potvin J, Segre PS and Werth AJ (2017) "How Baleen Whales Feed: The Biomechanics of Engulfment and Filtration". Ann. Rev. Mar. Sci. (January 2017). Volume 9, 2017  pp 367-386
  • Potvin J. and Werth, AJ. (2017). "Oral Cavity Hydrodynamics and Drag Production in Balaenid Whale Suspension Feeding". PLoS ONE. 12(4): e0175220. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0175220
  • Segre, PS,  Cade, DE,  Fish, FE,   Potvin, J, Allen, AN, Calambokidis,, JA,  Friedlaender, AS, and Goldbogen, JA (2016) "Hydrodynamic properties of fin whale flippers predict maximum rolling performance". J. Exp. Biol.  219: 3315-3320.
  • Ware, C., Trites A., Rosen, D. and Potvin J. (2016); "Averaged Propulsive Body Acceleration (APBA) can be Calculated from Biologging Tags that Incorporate Gyroscopes and Accelerometers to Estimate Swimming Speed, Hydrodynamic Drag and Energy Expenditure for Steller Sea Lions". PLoS ONE 11(6): e0157326. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157326 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0157326.
  • Werth, AJ., and Potvin J. (2016) "Baleen Hydrodynamics and Morphology of Cross-Flow Filtration in Balaenid Whale Suspension Feeding". PLoS ONE 11(2): e0150106. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0150106 [Link].
  • Goldbogen, J. A., Potvin, J., Fish, F. E. (2015). Hydrodynamics. In “Marine Mammal Physiology: Requisites for Ocean Living”. Editors: Michael Castellini and Jo-Ann Mellish. CRC Press. [Link] 
  • Goldbogen, JA,  Shadwick, RE ,  Lillie, MA, Piscitelli, MA, Potvin, J ,  Pyenson, ND,  Vogl, AW; "Using morphology to infer physiology: case studies on rorqual whales (Balaenopteridae)" (2015). Canadian Journal of Zoology Vol. 93, pp. 687 - 700.  dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2014-0311.
  • Gleiss, A. C., Potvin, J., Keleher, J. J., Whitty, J. M. Goldbogen, J. A., Morgan, D. L. "Mechanical challenges to freshwater residency in sharks and rays". Journal of Experimental Biology (2015) Vol. 218, pp. 1099- 1110; doi: 10.1242/jeb.114868 [Link]
  • Potvin, J., and Ray, E.;"Extrapolating the Trends of Test Drop Data with Opening Shock Factor Calculations: the Case of the Orion Main and Drogue Parachutes Inflating to 1st Reefed Stage'. Paper AIAA-2017-3228. Presented at the 24th AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference and Seminar, Denver, CO, June 4 - 8, 2017.
  • McQuilling, M., Reyes, P. and Potvin, J.;"CFD Simulation of a HUMVEE Strapped to a Standard US Army Airdrop Platform". Paper AIAA-2015-2101. Presented at the 23th AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference and Seminar, Daytona Beach, FL, March 30 - April 2, 2015.
  • McQuilling, M., Reyes, P. and Potvin, J.;"CFD Simulations of a Double Annulus Parachute System for Cargo Airdrop, Using Inflated Shapes Informed by Photogrammetry". Paper AIAA-2015-2169. Presented at the 23th AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference and Seminar, Daytona Beach, FL, March 30 - April 2, 2015.
  • Potvin, J., and Peek, G.;"Peak Load of a Drogue: Applying the Momentum-Impulse Theorem to Infinite Mass Inflation".Paper AIAA-2015-2181. Presented at the 23th AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference and Seminar, Daytona Beach, FL, March 30 - April 2, 2015.
  • Potvin, J.,  McQuilling, M., and Kavanaugh, J.; " Geometric Porosity, as a Dynamically Driven Process: Inflation versus Steady Descent". Paper AIAA-2015-2182. Presented at the 23th AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference and Seminar, Daytona Beach, FL, March 30 - April 2, 2015.

Professional Organizations and Associations

View Professor Potvin's website.