Francis Masese

You are working with a volumetric hydrogel. The gel contains ether and hydroxyl groups that connect water molecules with hydrogen bonds. It can be enhanced by the nuclear quantum effect. Therefore it is difficult to remove. See discussion

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Nuclear_quantum_effect_and_hydrogel

To improve drying, chemists use drying in a desiccator with drying agents: calcium oxide, concentrated sulfuric acid, anhydrous copper sulfate, phosphorus pentoxide and others.

I do not know the specific phase behavior of your polymer but many triblock polymers form thermoreversible cubic phases when present at a concentration of ca., 20% w/w. These liquids gel with Increasing temperature as the hydration of PEO or PEG chains varies.

Try lower comcentrations of the poler in water or keep the liquid cooler and the gel should fluidize.