Abstract: A thermally reflective membrane apparatus comprises a housing structure, and a thermally reflective membrane contained within the housing structure. The thermally reflective membrane comprises a semipermeable structure, and a porous, thermally reflective structure physically contacting the semipermeable structure. The porous, thermally reflective structure comprises discrete thermally reflective particles, and a binder material coupling the discrete thermally reflective particles to one another and the semipermeable structure. A fluid treatment system and method of treating a fluid are also described.

Abstract: There is provided a self-leveling ladder which is particularly useful on uneven surfaces. The ladder includes an attachment generally U-shaped in form having parallel tubes which are secured to the bottom portion of the legs of the ladder and a tubular bridging mechanism connecting the parallel tubes. Legs are received in the bottom portion of each parallel tube and a plurality of balls are received in the bridge portion and the top portion of the tubes. The balls act to transfer the force from one leg to the other so that when the bottom of the legs are placed on different levels the ladder will automatically level itself.