You say that it needs to have an electrical/mechanic element to satisfy the assignment question? It sounds a bit like you are trying to lever this element in to a device which doesn't really lend itself to a mechanical design.
What I mean is, from what others have said about various types of filtration and the fact that everyone's face is a different size and shape, it sounds a bit extravagant. Or instead of a mask, perhaps a tube and mouthpiece that seals over the mouth to only let the filtered air in? Easier to seal a mouth than it is a whole face I would think.