 He gained a prize of 12,000 gulden (≈117 kg silver) for his new method of employing sodium sulfate instead of potash in the making of glass.From 1817 to 1820, he held the post of superintendent of mines and was raised to the rank of nobility for his services.He retired in 1820, and thereafter published one of the best of his works, "Fermenta Cognitionis" in 6 parts from 1822 to 1825.