The intersected circles on the METU emblem represent the bond between the eastern and western civilizations. The half circle and crescent shapes represents the same crescents found in most of the middle eastern countries' flags.
Derek K. Baker, Ph.D.
 
 
 
Office:

E-105

Email:

dbaker@metu.edu.tr

Phone:

+90-312-210-5217

Fax:

+90-312-210 2536

Address
Mechanical Engineering Department
E-105
Middle East Technical University
Ankara 06531/ TURKEY

Schedule

Education

Class Links

Industry Experience

Research and Projects

Publications

Classes Taught

Awards

Academic Appointments

Professional Memberships

Fall 2008 Schedule:

Top

Classes/Meetings

Available by App't

Office Hours

Unavailable

 

Monday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

8:30-9:30

ME 203:
G10
2
  ME 203 : G102    

9:30-10:30

  ME 476: G102    

10:30-11:30

    Research Meeting  

11:30-12:30

ME 476: G102      

12:30-1:30

       

1:30-2:30

         

2:30-3:30

   

Office Hours

Office Hours

 

3:30-4:30

   

Office Hours

Office Hours

 

4:30-5:30

         

Fall 2008 Class Links:

Top

ME 203, Section 2: Coming Soon

ME 490 Fuel Cell Fundamentals: Coming Soon

Research and Projects

Top

  • Interests:
    • Alternative Cooling Technologies: The demand for cooling in Turkey is growing rapidly as more people install wall and window mounted vapor-compression air conditioners. These air-conditioners consume a significant amount of electricity. I am interested in the research, development and implement of alternative cooling technologies that are either consume less energy or use renewable energy sources.
    • Building Energy Systems: The demand for energy in Turkey is growing at approximately 8% per year, which is a very large growth rate compared to the average of 1.5% for other OECD countries. Turkey (population 70 million) is only behind China (population 1.3 billion) and India (population of 1 billion) in number of power projects. Much of this energy will be consumed by building energy systems, which includes heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and lighting. My interests are in the research, development and implementation of technologies that increase human comfort in buildings while using Turkey's energy resources in the most sustainable manner possible.
    • Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy
    • Thermodynamics
  • Research and Projects:
    • Summer Fuel Cell Class for METU and Exchange Students: Development of an engineering student exchange program for 4th engineering students through a 4th year technical elective class on fuel cells. The program goals are 1) Give engineering students experience working in an international environment and 2) Encourage students to pursue careers related to advanced/sustainable energy technologies. The exchange program will be used as a foundation for international collaboration at the research and graduate level. The class and program are being developed in collaboration with Dr. İlker Tarı from METU, Dr. Janet Ellzey from The University of Texas-Austin, and Drs. Mench and Kumbur from Pennsylvania State University.
    • Adsorption Cooling (TÜBİTAK Project): Development of a solar-powered adsorption cooling system using natural zeolite. In collaboration with Dr. Bilgin Kaftanoğlu, Dr. Cemil Yamalı, Emre Demirocak (MS student), Ismail Solmuş (PhD student), Ahmet Cağlar (PhD student), Onur Taylan (MS student). and Ataç Holding Company. The project includes:
      • Obtaining adsorption data and other thermophysical properties for Turkey's natural zeolites
      • Obtaining performance data for commercial solar collectors
      • Mathematical modeling of system to predict performance and optimize design
      • Demonstrating proof-of-concept
      • Evaluating commercial viability
    • Analysis and Prediction of Hourly Electricity Demand in Turkey (TÜBİTAK Project): Analyze historical electricity demand data for 8 regions of Turkey and develop short and long term hourly electricity demand forecasts. In collaboration with Dr. Merih Aydınalp Koksal (Hacettepe University) and Emre Demirci (Undergraduate student).
    • Investigation of Polymer Characteristics in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (Accepted by SANTEZ for Funding): In collaboration with Dr. Mehmet Sankır (TOBB ETÜ) and Ertan Ağar (MS student).
    • Development of a Parabolic Trough Solar Collector (Project Submitted to TÜBİTAK): In collaboration with Dr. Bilgin Kaftanoğlu, Dr. Cemil Yamalı, Yasemin Usta (MS student) and Ataç Holding Company.
    • METU Alternate Energy Technologies Club: Faculty advisor to teams of students designing, building and racing solar and hydrogen powered cars.
    • Thermodynamics: An Integrated Learning System: Development of an integrated textbook-website (ThermoNet) for undergraduate engineering thermodynamic courses. The goal of the project is to leverage the strengths of the web and a traditional textbook in an integrated learning system. The web portion will focus on implementing learning technologies that are either too expensive or impossible to achieve using a traditional textbook, such as movies, animations and interaction. The text portion will focus on written explanations of theories and concepts and serve as a long term reference source for the student. The integrated learning system was published by Wiley Publishers in October 2004. My co-authors for the project are Ofodike Ezekoye, Jack Howell, and Phil Schmidt at The University of Texas-Austin.
  • Opportunities for Graduate and Undergraduate Students:
    • Thermodynamic design, optimization and economics of solar cooling/dehumidification systems. In order of my interest
      • Adsorption system: e.g., zeolite water and silica-gel water
      • PV powered vapor compression
      • Liquid desiccant
      • Absorption systems
      • Solid desiccant
    • Thermodynamic modeling of advanced energy conversion technologies:
      • Fuel Cells
      • Hydrogen production (e.g., from solar, wind, natural gas, coal, etc.)
      • Integrated energy systems (hydrogen production + fuel cells)
    • Energy analysis: How energy is used and how it can be used more efficiently
      • Tourism Industry (e.g., resorts/hotels)
      • Commercial buildings
      • Industry
    • In general I am looking for graduate and undergraduate students to work on projects related to cooling, advanced energy conversion technologies, and building energy systems.
  • Past Projects:
Classes Taught:

Top

  • Middle East Technical University
    • ME 538: Advanced Thermodynamics II
    • ME 537: Advanced Thermodynamics I
    • ME 490: Fuel Cell Fundamentals
    • ME 478: Introduction to Solar Energy Utilization
    • ME 476: Second Law Analysis of Engineering Systems
    • ME 405: Energy Conversion Systems
    • ME 311: Heat Transfer
    • ME 204: Thermodynamics II
    • ME 203: Thermodynamics I
  • Humboldt State University
    • Engr 477: Solar Thermal Engineering
    • Engr 475: Renewable Energy Power Systems
    • Engr 331: Thermodynamics I
    • Engr 115 Labs: Introduction to Environmental Resources Engineering
    • Engr 111/215: Introduction to Design
Academic Appointments:

Top

Education:

Top

Industry Experience:

Top

  • Xenergy: Burlington, MA, 1993-1994. Worked at New England Electric System to develop demonstration programs for emerging residential heating and cooling technologies. Evaluated residential and industrial Demand Side Management (DSM) programs.
  • Siv. Ing. Gaute Flatheim, Stavanger, Norway, 1992, Thermal modeling of solar heated house.
  • ABB: Gas Turbine Manufacturing, Chester, VA, 1992, Gas turbine manufacturing support
  • Duke Power Company: Fossil maintenance, Mt. Holly, NC, 1988-1990, Fossil maintenance support

Publications:

Top

  • Textbooks and Textbook Supplements
    • Schmidt, P.S., O.A. Ezekoye, J.H. Howell and D.K. Baker, "Thermodynamics: An Integrated Learning System", Textbook, 14 Chapters, 480 page printed textbook, 490 page interactive Website, 381 classroom PowerPoint slides, Color solution manual for 450 homework problems, 29 Interactive educational computer graphics, 5 Educational computer video clips, John Wiley & Sons, New York (2005). U.S. Universities that have used this learning system include:
      • The University of California-Berkeley
      • The University of Texas-Austin
      • North Carolina State University
      • The University of Massachusetts-Amherst
      • Florida State University
      • University of Nevada-Las Vegas
    • Schmidt, P.S., O.A. Ezekoye, J. Howell, D.K. Baker, "ThermoNet V1 ", John Wiley & Sons, NY, September (2001). Online supplement to the following textbooks:
  • Journal Articles
    • Baker, DK, "Thermodynamic Limits to Thermal Regeneration in Adsorption Cooling Cycles", International Journal of Refrigeration, 31:1, 55-64, 2008.
    • Baker, D.K. and B. Kaftanoğlu, "Predicted Impact of Collector and Zeolite Choice on the Thermodynamic and Economic Performance of a Solar Powered Adsorption Cooling System", Experimental Heat Transfer journal, 20:2, 103-122, 2007.
    • Baker, D.K. and G.C. Vliet, "Identifying and Reducing Scaling Problems in Solar Hot Water Systems", Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Vol. 125, Issue 1, pp. 61-66, February (2003).
    • Baker, D.K. and G.C. Vliet, "Designing Solar Hot Water Systems for Scaling Environments", Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, February (2001).
  • Editorship
  • Conference Papers
    • Baker, D.K. and Kaftanoğlu, B., ”Trends In COP for Adsorption Cooling Cycles with Thermal Regeneration and Finite Number Of Beds” Accepted for Publication in Conference Proceedings of ASME Energy Sustainability 2008, Jacksonville, Florida, 10-14 August 2008.
    • Baker, D.K. and B. Kaftanoğlu, "Limits to the Thermodynamic Performance of a Thermal Wave Adsorption Cooling Cycle ", Proceedings of 5 th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and Thermodynamics (HEFAT07) Sun City, South Africa (2007).
    • Baker D.K. and B. Kaftanoğlu, Güneş enerjisi ile çalışan adsorblanmalı bir soğutma sisteminde zeolit ve silika jel kullanılımında termodinamik ve ekonomik başarımın karşılaştırılması. Proceedings of Türkiye 10. Enerji Kongresi ve Uluslararası 5. Enerji Fuarı, (2006) November 27-30; Istanbul, Turkey.
    • Baker, D.K. and B. Kaftanoğlu, "Güneş Enerjisi ile Çalışan Adsorplanma Soğutma Sisteminden
      Maksimum Teorik Başarım Sağlanması", Proceedings of VI. Ulusal Temiz Enerji Sempozyumu (UTES), Isparta, Turkey, (2006).
    • Baker, D.K. and B. Kaftanoğlu, "Comparing the Performance of Natural and Synthetic Zeolites in a Solar-Powered Adsorption Cooling System", Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and Thermodynamics (HEFAT05) Cairo, Egypt (2005).
    • Baker, D.K. and B. Kaftanoğlu, "Thermoeconomic Model for a Solar-Powered Zeolite Cooling System", Proceedings of 2005 Solar World Congress, ASME, Orlando, FL, (2005).
    • Ateş, M. and D.K. Baker, "The Potential for Evaporative Cooling in Turkey", Proceedings of International Conference: Passive and Low Energy Cooling for the Built Environment, Santorini, Greece, (2005).
    • Cashman, E.M, E.A. Eschenbach and D.K. Baker, "Adding Energy and Power to Environmental Engineering Curriculum with Just-in-time Teaching", Proceedings of Frontiers in Education Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana (2005).
    • Baker, D.K., and A. Canlıdinç, "ThermoNet: Part of an Integrated Website-Textbook System", Conference Proceedings for Education and Information Systems: Technologies and Applications (2004) Orlando, FL.
    • Baker, D.K. and G.C. Vliet, "Identifying and Reducing Scaling Problems in Solar Hot Water Systems", Solar 2002 Proceedings, ASME, Reno, NV, June (2002).
    • Baker, D.K, O.A. Ezekoye, P.S. Schmidt, C.M. Jones and Min Liu, "ThermoNet: A Web-Based Learning Resource for Engineering Thermodynamics", Proceedings of American Society for Engineering Education Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO, June (2000).
    • Baker, D.K., G.C. Vliet and D.F. Lawler, "Comparison of Calcium Carbonate Scaling Rate Models", Proceedings of 1999 National Heat Transfer Conference, ASME, Albuquerque, NM, August (1999).
    • Baker, D.K., G.C. Vliet and D.F. Lawler, "Experimental Apparatus to Investigate Calcium Carbonate Scale Growth Rates", Proceedings of Mitigation of Heat Exchanger Fouling and Its Economic and Environmental Implications, United Engineering Foundation, Banff, Canada, July (1999).
    • Vliet, G.C. and Baker, D.K., "Designing Solar Hot Water Systems for Scaling Environments", Proceedings of American Solar Energy Society Annual Conference, Albuquerque, NM, June (1998).
    • Baker, D.K., G.C. Vliet and D.F. Lawler, “SOLSCALE: Software to Predict Scaling in Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems”, Proceedings of American Solar Energy Society Annual Conference, Asheville, NC, April (1996).

Awards:

Top

  • 2005-6 METU Educator of the Year: Awarded to ~ 1% of faculty at METU each year. The winners are selected by a jury from a pool of faculty with the highest student evaluations.
  • 2003-4 METU Educator of the Year: Awarded to ~ 1% of faculty at METU each year. The winners are selected by a jury from a pool of faculty with the highest student evaluations.
  • Who's Who in Science and Engineering

Professional Memberships:

Top

Links:

Top

  • Invest for College: InvestforCollege.com is the premier college planning source designed for families seeking proprietary analysis and unique tools imperative to developing a college savings strategy and plan that works.