 How do you sift through all of the symptom problem to find the true underlying problem you wish to innovate around? This is what an innovator looks like. Biomedical engineer with team Merlin. We have re-engineered the face mask to produce a package that is cool to wear and not just because it looks cool. Our fold-over seal design reduces the surface area of skin exposed warm expired air by 60% as compared to the standard surgical mask while increasing the effective filter area by 15%. The positive pressure mechanical seal also reduces leakage which gives wearers and bystanders alike the full benefit of the filter. The effective seal and breath deflator prevent fogging of glasses. Breathing in the Merlin mask is a breeze. Corrigations increase the surface area of the filter material thereby reducing resistance to airflow by 28%. Filters are fabricated with zero waste. We begin with a flat pattern intelligently designed to maximize efficiency. Continuous cam driven cutting allows would-be waste to become a parallel mask blink. Our narrow low profile mask is stylish and reduces interference with makeup, jewelry and hairstyle by using a low contact seal profile 30% shorter than that of a surgical mask. The Merlin mask is affordable and eco-friendly due to our lean manufacturing methods. Continuous cutting, fewer welds and less elastic are used. This also allows for accessibility through extremely high production rate. The Merlin mask is ideal for slowing the spread of COVID-19 as well as traditional mask applications. This mask really is the next generation of mutually protective respiratory PPE and all of us at Team Merlin are really excited for this technology to benefit people the world over.