Mapping the future: a scientometric review of 3D/4D printing research trends

Three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) printing marks a significant advancement in additive manufacturing (AM) with the ability to change shapes dynamically over time to respond autonomously to stimuli. The domain is finding extensive implications across multiple sectors including sustainable civil engineering. To effectively explore the diverse research areas and technological pathways within the domain, regular and rigorous qualitative and quantitative assessments of published literature are essential. This study conducts a scientometric analysis to trace the development of this emerging technology in civil engineering with a scientific information analysis tool. It includes examining publication trends, collaborating countries network, co-citation patterns, and keyword dynamics with a dataset of 4610 articles indexed in the Scopus database. The comprehensive analysis pinpoints research frontiers, highlights emerging hotspots, and suggests potential future research directions in the domain.