Capturing flying objects through viscoelastic adhesion

Adhesion-based strategies for capturing flying objects, exemplified by chameleon tongues and octopus tentacles, are widely employed in nature. These biological systems have inspired the use of viscoelastic adhesives for dynamic capturing in applications such as aerial robots or under microgravity conditions. Due to the complex interplay between rate-dependent material responses and contact dynamics, the mechanics of combined effects of adhesion and viscoelasticity in dynamic capturing remain poorly understood. Here, we develop a general theoretical framework for adhesive collision between a flat punch and a viscoelastic substrate based on the Maugis-Dugdale (M-D) model. Solutions are derived in the JKR/DMT-like regimes through asymptotic analysis. The results reveal two distinct adhesion mechanisms that prevent rebound: the viscoelastic dissipation that enlarges the cohesive zone during detachment in the JKR-like regime, thereby enhancing dynamic adhesion; and the long-range interfacial tractions that dominate and facilitate capture in the DMT-like regime. The critical capturing velocity exhibits a peak when the viscoelastic relaxation time is comparable to the elastic collision time, independent of the adhesion parameter. When normalized by the work of adhesion, the critical capturing velocity shows a continuous transition between two analytically predicted JKR and DMT limits. Our model provides a unified mechanics of adhesive collisions across adhesion regimes and timescales, offering theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of dynamic viscoelastic adhesive systems. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.