 He directed research in and development of various electrochemical power generation devices, including different types of fuel cells, batteries and hybrid systems.Baker's expertise encompassed fundamental research as well as the technological, engineering, system and marketing aspects of these systems, including "direct fuel cells", which can process hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas without an external reformer.Baker received his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and was a post-graduate Fulbright fellow at the Laboratory for Electrochemistry of the University of Amsterdam, before earning a doctorate from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1969.