In the presence of adhesion and under certain conditions a microsphere will
be captured during a low speed impact with a substrate. The sensitivity of
the capture velocity (the largest initial normal velocity at which capture
occurs) to five physical factors is analyzed in this paper. The factors ar
e the Hertzian stiffness, Dupre surface energy, the microsphere radius, a d
amping coefficient associated with adhesion dissipation, and one associated
with material dissipation. The sensitivity is determined by examining the
effects of the factors on the capture velocity using a two-level, fractiona
l factorial design layout. Capture velocities are determined using analytic
al models. Results indicate that the Dupre surface energy and the microsphe
re radius by far play the greatest role in the capture process. The Hertzia
n stiffness and the dissipation coefficient associated with adhesion affect
capture to a lesser extent; an interaction of the surface energy and the a
dhesion energy dissipation can also play a small role.