He is a leading pioneer in understanding the complex relationships between solid state structure, processing, and properties of polymeric materials and systems.

Arthur was taken to the Buchenwald concentration camp during Kristallnacht, the evening of November 8, 1938, and was luckily released in June, 1939, since the family had received permission to emigrate immediately to England.

Baer earned a Doctor of Engineering degree in 1957[2] and immediately joined E. I. DuPont Polychemicals Division, at the Experimental Station in Wilmington, Delaware.

While at DuPont he learned for the first time the many aspects of polymer science and engineering concentrating mainly on structure property relationships and small scale processing.

His goal at CWRU was to develop a major program in advanced polymer education and research which, under his leadership, became the current Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering.

Today, Baer serves at CWRU as Distinguished University Professor and holds the Herbert Henry Dow Chair in Science and Engineering.

Focus on both micro and nanolayered structures has inspired the development of novel gradient index lenses and superior layered dielectric films for energy storage.

In 2014, he was received the Paul J. Flory Research Prize[6] at the PolyChar World Forum in Advanced Materials, and in 2000, was inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame.