Research summary
Cardio-respiratory conditions—such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and bronchiectasis—are relatively common, but still not fully understood. Dr. Azadeh Yadollahi, Canada Research Chair in Cardiorespiratory Engineering, wants to shed light on how water accumulation in the lungs and body can affect outcomes for patients with these conditions.
Yadollahi and her research team are developing “smart” textiles—intelligent fabrics or textile structures that can sense and react to environmental stimuli—that will provide new ways to diagnose, monitor and care for patients with cardiorespiratory diseases in their own homes and communities. Ultimately, this will improve quality of life for people with chronic respiratory disorders by supporting the commercialization of wearable technologies for diagnosis and treatment. It will also strengthen Canada’s competitiveness within the smart textile sector.