Viscometer and methods for using the same

A viscometer, comprising:

• a viscosity sensor with a liquid flow channel and at least two pressure sensors positioned along the liquid flow channel and configured to measure a pressure drop of a liquid flowing through the liquid flow channel;
• a dispensing mechanism configured to cause dispensing of a liquid from a first syringe to the viscosity sensor at a known flow rate, wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to couple with the first syringe, the first syringe is coupled with the viscosity sensor;
• an electronic controller configured to control operations of the dispensing mechanism and receive and process data from the viscosity sensor;
• a sample loading interface through which the viscometer is configured to receive the liquid, wherein the first syringe includes a barrel with a side port through which the barrel is coupled with the sample loading interface and a plunger configured to slide within the barrel between a first plunger location and a second plunger location on an opposite side of the side port from the first plunger location;
• and
• a temperature control device coupled with the electronic controller for controlling the temperature control device,
• wherein the electronic controller is configured to:
• determine viscosity values of the liquid at a plurality of temperatures, including maintaining the liquid at a first temperature of the plurality of temperatures for a first duration during which the liquid is subject to a constant temperature for a first viscosity measurement and subsequently maintaining the liquid at a second temperature, distinct from the first temperature, of the plurality of temperatures for a second duration during which the liquid is subject to a constant temperature for a second viscosity measurement, the liquid including proteins;
• and
• determine a melting temperature of the proteins from viscosity values of the liquid at the plurality of temperatures.