Nanoparticle-sized magnetic absorption enhancers (MAEs) exhibiting a controlled response to a magnetic field, including a controlled mechanical response and an inductive thermal response. The MAEs have a magnetic material that exhibits inductive thermal response to the magnetic field and is embedded in a coating, such that the MAE conforms to a particular shape, e.g., hemisphere, dome or shell, chosen to produce the controlled mechanical response. A targeting moiety for specifically binding the MAE to a pathogen target is also provided. The MAEs can be bound by a flexible linker to promote the desired mechanical response, which includes interactions between MAEs that are not bound to any pathogen target for the purpose of forming spheres, spherical shells, or generally spherical dimers to contain the thermal energy produced and to thus reduce collateral healthy tissue damage during hyperthermic treatment.
