Abstract: An apparatus (and a method of making the apparatus) that includes a hydrophobic surface layer (e.g. ultra-hydrophobic surfaces and superhydrophobic surfaces). The hydrophobic surface layer has a morphology due to non-uniformly distributed nano-particles in a nano-particle layer(s). The nano-particle layer(s) are bonded to a linking agent layer(s). A hydrophobic surface layer may be formed over a non-uniform nano-particle layer(s), which allows the hydrophobic layer to have a fine roughness (i.e. morphology) with relatively strong water repellency characteristics. Since at least one of the nano-particle layer(s), the cross linking layer(s), and the hydrophobic surface layer may be formed by a self-assembly method, a hydrophobic surface may be formed in a practical and/or cost effective manner to allow for implementation in a variety of applications.